LAFAYETTE WARMING SHELTER OPERATIONS EXTENDED THROUGH MONDAY NIGHT

Lafayette, LA – Following a December 13 announcement to open a warming shelter in advance of freezing temperatures, Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG), in coordination with the Lafayette Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) and community partners, will extend warming shelter operations at the Dupuis Recreation Center through Monday night, December 15, 2025. The shelter will continue to provide safe, overnight refuge for individuals experiencing homelessness or those without adequate heat as freezing conditions continue across Lafayette Parish.

To ensure proper cleaning and preparation between overnight operations and as temperatures rise during daylight hours, all shelter guests will check out and depart from the Dupuis Recreation Center Monday, December 15, following lunch service at 11:00 a.m. Guests will be permitted to return for re-entry beginning at 5:00 p.m. Monday evening, when the shelter reopens for overnight accommodations. The warming shelter will remain open until Tuesday morning when temperatures are expected to rise above the freezing mark.

Lafayette Transit System fees will be waived on Monday, December 15, for individuals seeking transportation to and/or from the warming shelter. Bus transportation will continue to be provided from 401 St. John Street (St. Joseph Diner) to Dupuis Recreation Center as part of shelter operations. Anyone in need of transportation assistance is advised to call 211.

To help ensure warming shelter operations remain focused on guest safety and care, all donations should be directed to the ARCH Share House, located at 211-A Guilbeau Road, between Monday and Tuesday 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Priority needs at this time include towels, socks, new and packaged underwear, and travel-sized hygiene items. LCG and OHSEP urge residents to take precautions during freezing conditions and check on vulnerable neighbors. Updates related to warming shelter operations and severe weather response will continue to be shared through official LCG communication channels.

For more information or real-time alerts, subscribe to LafayetteNOW emergency notifications via www.lafayettela.gov/alert or by texting “Join LFTalert” to 31002.

NOTE: To accommodate extended warming shelter operations, all PARC programming activities at Dupuis Recreation Center are canceled for Monday, December 15, 2025. LCG appreciates the public’s understanding as the facility is temporarily repurposed to support community safety during this cold weather event.

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