D.C. Heat Wave Straining Shelter, Forcing Homeless Out In Heat

With temperatures in the 90s, D.C.-area homeless shelters are running out of space at a torrent pace, putting homeless women and children at a serious risk, according to a report by WTOP.

David Treadwell, the executive director of Central Union Mission, told WTOP that the shelter in Northwest Washington filled almost immediately after its doors opened Tuesday morning.

And the story of one mother and daughter highlights just how tough it is in this kind of weather.

WTOP:

Shakithia Truesdale and her 4-year-old daughter spent the entire day Tuesday in a cooling center set up at the Virginia Williams Family Resource Center in Northeast D.C. Her 8-year-old daughter spent the day at camp.

But this pregnant mother started worrying the moment she woke up, she says, about where they'll stay the night.

"I had to call Child Protective Services because I don't have nowhere for me and my kids to sleep for the night," Truesdale says.

The D.C. government has been tweeting out links to a map with the locations of homeless shelters and senior and cooling stations.

If you come across anyone who needs help or shelter, the city has a number to call to get that person to a cooling center: 1-800-535-7252.

But if you see a someone in immediate need of medical attention, the best number to call is always 911.

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Source: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/18/dc-heat-wave-homeless-shelters_n_3617845.html

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