VAN NUYS : Cold Weather Shelter Available

Officials who run a cold weather shelter at the National Guard armory in Van Nuys are hoping to get the word out to homeless adults that the program is still available despite a warm weather trend.

The Cold/Wet Weather Program provides transportation to the armory at 17330 Victory Blvd., two hot meals, a shower and a cot. It is operated by the nonprofit L.A. Family Housing Corp. and funded by the city of Los Angeles Community Development Department.

So far, turnout is lower than usual for the program, which begins at 6 p.m. nightly through Feb. 20.

“Hopefully, we can get the word out to people who may be in need,” said Michael Childress, a Family Housing Corp. administrator who helps coordinates the shelter. “There is a decrease in the numbers compared to the last three or four years. It used to be 100 to 105 people this time of year, but now it’s only 80 to 89 a night.”

Childress speculated that the drop in numbers might be attributed to warmer temperatures. “ . . . Last year, it was raining and hitting the 30s every night,” Childress said. “The weather has not been as severe” so far this year.

The shelter is open from 6 p.m. nightly through Feb. 20, then only during cold weather from Feb. 21 through March 31. Although people must leave the shelter in the morning, there is no limit on how many nights they can return, Childress said.

To help those who cannot reach the shelter on their own, the program provides two 15-passenger vans that pick up shelter occupants about every 45 minutes between 5:30 and 8:35 p.m.

Pickup points include the public parking lot at Hansen Dam at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Osborne Street in Lake View Terrace; Valley Community Clinic at 5648 Vineland Ave. in North Hollywood; Van Nuys City Hall at 14410 Sylvan St. in Van Nuys, and 7024 Deering Ave. in Canoga Park.