November 30, 2011
Mangano Announces Emergency Winter Shelter For Homeless Families
Warm-Bed Hotline to Activate on December 1st
With the first day of Winter just three weeks away, Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano today announced that Warm Bed, Nassau’s homeless program providing shelter relief to families and individuals during cold winter months, will be activated December 1st. A one-stop Nassau County Winter Homeless Hotline, 1-866-WARM-BED (1-866-927-6233), will operate 7 days a week and run through March 31st, 2012. County Executive Mangano will activate the program and hotline beginning December 1st in anticipation of the cold weather. If winter conditions persist beyond March 31st, the program will continue until warmer weather arrives.
“No resident should have to spend nights in the freezing cold, when they can call the Nassau County hotline and find a warm place to stay right away,” said County Executive Mangano. “Homeless residents calling the hotline will be connected immediately to a person who can help them get out of the cold and get the services they need to restart their lives. Help really is just a phone call away.”
During business hours calls will be referred to the Department of Social Services for appropriate services. However, between the hours of 6:00 p.m. and 8:00 a.m., employees from Warm Bed and DSS will make appropriate referrals and provide shelter placement. Once placed, staff at the Department of Social Services and the Office of Housing & Community Development will reach out to those who are homeless in order to access resources for permanent housing.
County Executive Mangano also urges Nassau’s homeless Veterans to take advantage of the Warm Bed program, where they will be assisted by the Nassau County Veterans Services Agency. “If you are a Veteran, and you need help, please do not hesitate to come forward. The residents of Nassau County are forever grateful for your service, and we are here to help you every step of the way.”
NASSAU COUNTY HOMELESS HOTLINE (WARMBED):
1-866-927-6233EMERGENCY NUMBERS:
Department of Social Services (516) 227-8519: After office hours (516) 573-8626
Long Island Crisis Counseling & Referral Center Hotline (516) 679-1111
Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence (516) 542-0404
Nassau University Medical Center (516) 572-0123
