LAFAYETTE WARMING SHELTER TO OPEN IN ADVANCE OF FREEZING TEMPERATURES

Lafayette, LA – In response to forecasted freezing temperatures, Lafayette Consolidated Government (LCG) and the Lafayette Parish Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OHSEP) will open a warming shelter to provide refuge for individuals experiencing homelessness or those without adequate heat.

The warming shelter will operate at the Dupuis Recreation Center (1212 E. Pont Des Mouton Road, Lafayette, LA) beginning at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, December 29, 2025 according to the schedule below:

Warming Shelter Operations

• Monday, December 29 – Opens at 6:00 p.m.
• Tuesday, December 30 – Closes at 10:00 a.m. for cleaning and reset
• Tuesday, December 30 – Reopens at 6:00 p.m.
• Wednesday, December 31 – Closes at 8:30 a.m.
  

Shelter guests will check out Tuesday morning following breakfast at 10:00 a.m. and may return for re-entry beginning at 6:00 p.m. The shelter will close Wednesday morning as temperatures rise above freezing.

Transportation

Transportation will be available from St. Joseph Diner (401 St. John Street) beginning at 5:45 p.m. Monday, December 29. Individuals may also arrive directly at the Dupuis Recreation Center starting at 6:00 p.m. Lafayette Transit System fees are waived on Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, December 30 for those seeking transportation to the warming shelter. Anyone needing transportation assistance should call 211.

Donations

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 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Priority needs at this time include towels and washcloths; travel-sized hygiene items (including toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap or shower gel, and deodorant);, new packaged underwear; and new or gently used pillows.

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 warming shelter operations, all PARC programming activities at Dupuis Recreation Center are canceled for Monday, December 29 and Tuesday, December 30. 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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