Somerville's Emergency Overnight Warming Center Opens for 2025-26 Season on Dec. 8

As we approach the coldest months of the year, the City of Somerville is once again opening a winter season Emergency Overnight Warming Center to support adults experiencing homelessness. Starting on Monday,December 8, 2025, through April 12, 2026, the warming center will offer a safe place to sleep and a range of other services. 

Returning for its fourth season, the warming center will operate seven nights a week from 5 p.m. to 7:30 a.m. on the second floor of the former Cummings School located at 42 Prescott Street. Clients will have access to hot meals, safe sleeping spaces, and on-site housing navigation and case management services.  

In response to increased need, the warming center has been expanded from approximately 30 beds to accommodate up to 45 guests each night. The center is run with the support of Housing Families (housingfamilies.org), a nonprofit serving Boston’s Metro North region.  

“No one should spend a cold winter night without shelter. I'm proud that Somerville is once again opening our emergency overnight warming center to serve adults experiencing homelessness. This is about basic human dignity: ensuring our neighbors have a warm, safe place to sleep, a hot meal, and access to support services,” said Mayor Katjana Ballantyne. 

The Emergency Overnight Warming Center is available only to adults experiencing homelessness. Families or individuals with children seeking shelter should contact the Somerville Office of Housing Stability at 617-625-6600, Ext. 2581, for referrals to family-specific resources and shelters.  

Supply Donations Welcome 

Community members interested in supporting the Emergency Overnight Warming Center can donate supplies such as cleaning and hygiene supplies, shelf-stable foods (unopened and unexpired), gift cards, and more. Donations can be dropped off at Housing Families, 919 Eastern Avenue, Malden (our contracted nonprofit warming center operator). For information on donating, please email warmingcenter@somervillema.gov. 

For more information about Somerville’s Emergency Overnight Warming Center, visit somervillema.gov/warmingcenter or email warmingcenter@somervillema.gov.  

Persons with disabilities who need auxiliary aids and services for effective communication (i.e., CART, ASL), written materials in alternative formats, or reasonable modifications in policies and procedures in order to access the programs, activities, and meetings of the City of Somerville should please contact Adrienne Pomeroy in advance at 617-625-6600 x 2059 or apomeroy@somervillema.gov.    

If you need assistance understanding this information, please contact us at languageaccess@somervillema.gov or call 311 (617-666-3311). The City of Somerville can provide you with an interpreter for free.