With temperatures plunging toward freezing Tuesday night, Durham has flipped on its expanded winter shelter options under the city’s White Flag protocol, opening up more beds for people who have nowhere else to go. Officials are urging anyone who needs a place to sleep to call Entry Point at 984‑287‑8313 for up-to-the-minute placement details.
What White Flag Means Tonight
According to the city’s updates, White Flag nights kick in when the temperature is at or below 32°F, or at or below 35°F with rain or snow, during the Nov. 1 through Mar. 31 winter window. On these nights, people are directed to call Entry Point at 984‑287‑8313 to get referrals to available sites. Some shelters will take walk-ins while others require that Entry Point referral, per City of Durham (Facebook).
Where To Go For A Bed Tonight
Several longtime local partners are handling the extra demand. Durham Rescue Mission is running its men’s and women-and-children programs at 1201 E. Main and 507 E. Knox, and Urban Ministries of Durham is operating an adults-only shelter at 410 Liberty with a 6 p.m. check-in time. Both organizations post their program details and check-in instructions on their websites, according to Durham Rescue Mission and Urban Ministries of Durham.
Open Table At Asbury United Methodist
The Open Table shelter at Asbury United Methodist Church, at 806 Clarendon, is operating with expanded capacity and is open nightly for adults, with check-in from 7 to 8:30 p.m. The city’s winter-shelter information lists this expanded site as running through Feb. 27. Those details reflect coordination between Open Table Ministries and Asbury UMC, per the City of Durham.
Confidential Placements And Referrals
There is also a confidential option for people escaping domestic violence, sexual assault or human trafficking on White Flag nights. The Durham Crisis Response Center advises survivors to contact Entry Point for a confidential referral into shelter. Its emergency-shelter guidance explains how survivors and service providers can seek safe placements, according to the Durham Crisis Response Center.
How The Community Is Pitching In
The expanded winter shelter network is part of the broader “100 Days of Warmth” effort, which has added dozens of beds this season and organized fundraising and volunteer drives with local partners and United Way of the Triangle. Local reporting by Indy Week highlights how faith communities and nonprofits have stepped up to grow capacity…