Winter temperatures are here, and "white flag" or emergency shelters are open for the homeless community and others who need a safe place to escape the cold.
Learn how to volunteer or donate to shelters.
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Raleigh shelters open on 'winter white flag' declared nights
These shelters are open from Nov. 1 to March 31 on nights that drop below 35 degrees. People can call the shelter information phone line at 919-759-5607 or go online to see if a night is declared white flag due to the cold.
- Men's shelter
- Downtown: Church of the Good Shepherd, 121 Hillsborough St.
- Downtown: Church of the Good Shepherd, 121 Hillsborough St.
- Women's shelter
- First Baptist Church, 99 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh
- First Baptist Church, 99 S. Salisbury St., Raleigh
- Family shelter: Salvation Army, 1863 Capital Blvd., Raleigh
Shelters always open in Raleigh
Emergency drop-in shelters are operating every night at Salvation Army, 1863 Capital Blvd., between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m. Call 919-759-5607.
The shelters will open to anyone who is homeless or without safe, reliable heating.
The White Flag shelter program is funded the city of Raleigh and Wake County and is made possible by joint efforts from nonprofit, faith and business leaders.
Shelter every night in Durham
Shelter is available to adults every night, from Nov. 15, 2025, through March 15, 2026, at Asbury United Methodist Church, 806 Clarendon St. beginning at 7 p.m.
Durham adds three shelters on 'white flag' nights
Three additional shelters offer a warm place to stay when the temperature is expected to dip below 32 or below 35 when precipitation is forecast.
- Family shelter
- Families Moving Forward/Durham Crisis Response Center, 300 N. Queen St.
- Families Moving Forward/Durham Crisis Response Center, 300 N. Queen St.
- Adults only
- Urban Ministries of Durham, 401 Liberty St.
- Urban Ministries of Durham, 401 Liberty St.
- Men
- Durham Rescue Mission, 1201 E. Main St.
- Durham Rescue Mission, 1201 E. Main St.
- Women and children
- Durham Rescue Mission, 507 E. Knox St.
- Durham Rescue Mission, 507 E. Knox St.
Anyone in need of shelter in Durham is asked to call Entry Point at 984-287-8313.
Shelters open in Cumberland County
When the National Weather Service reports freezing temperatures, Cumberland County will recommend opening the following area white flag shelters:
Cumberland County Department of Social Services, Auxiliary Lobby, 1225 Ramsey St., Fayetteville (warming center)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Masks or face coverings are encouraged for those with preexisting conditions.
Cumberland County of Department of Public Health, first floor lobby, 1235 Ramsey St., Fayetteville (warming center)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Masks or face coverings are encouraged for those with preexisting conditions.
Cumberland County public libraries (warming centers)
Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.; Wednesday, Friday, Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
All eight libraries will be open as warming centers. For locations, visit cumberlandcountync.gov/library.
Fayetteville-Cumberland Parks and Recreation Centers
Locations and hours are posted at fcpr.us/facilities/recreation-centers.
Fayetteville Area System of Transit (FAST) Lobby, 505 Franklin St., Fayetteville
Regular operation hours are posted at fayettevillenc.gov/transit.
True Vine Ministries (J Center), 5315 Morganton Road, Fayetteville
Hours: 6 p.m. - 7 a.m. Intake begins at 5:45 p.m.
Transportation to the J Center will be provided from the Cumberland County Headquarters Library at 300 Maiden Lane, Fayetteville, and the Fayetteville Day Resource Center at 128 S. King St. Patrons will be picked up from the designated locations between 5:45 -7:30 p.m. and will be returned to those locations between 7 - 8:45 a.m. Dinner and breakfast will be provided. For more information about the J Center, go to truevinenc.com/white-flag-shelter.
Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center, 111 N. Bragg Blvd., Spring Lake
Hours: 6 p.m. – 8 a.m. Intake from 5:30-9 p.m.
Transportation will be provided to and from the Fayetteville Day Resource Center at 128 S. King St. Pick-up time is 6 p.m. and return time is 6:30 a.m. Dinner and breakfast will be provided. For more information about Cornerstone Christian Empowerment Center, call 910-494-2715 or email treyct5@gmail.com.
The Salvation Army of the Sandhills Region, 245 Alexander St., Fayetteville
Hours: 6:30 p.m. - 7 a.m. Intake from 6:30- 9 p.m.
In addition to White Flag Shelters, the County, in partnership with the City of Fayetteville, opens several public facilities, during business hours, as warming centers. Click here to learn more.