Updated Orange County warming center list includes locations, hours, services

An updated Orange County roster of warming centers lays out specific locations, hours and services for residents seeking shelter during cold weather, spanning Middletown, Newburgh, Port Jervis and other municipalities. The list, last updated January 24, gives addresses, nightly schedules and notes on capacity and services that affect who can access each site.

In Middletown, the Marilyn Pierce Warming Station at 8-10 Mulberry Street, Middletown, NY 10940 opens its doors at 9:00 p.m., with entry ending at 9:30 p.m. The site is for adults 18 and older, has capacity for up to 30 people, serves dinner from 9:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., enforces lights out at 10:00 p.m., and asks guests to depart by 9:00 a.m. The listing also notes that after 9:30 p.m. entry is via police transport. In Newburgh, Hope Safe Haven - Newburgh Ministry at 13 Bridge Street, Newburgh, NY 12550 operates year-round for adults, with overnight hours from 9:30 p.m. to 6:00 a.m., breakfast and dinner served, and daytime shelter available for guests who need to remain. Port Jervis hosts a site at St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, 31 West Main Street, Port Jervis, NY 12771 with evening contact and services between 7:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m.; doors open 8:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m., guests depart by 7:00 a.m., and the site offers hot dinner, showers and limited clothing. Late entry there is provided via Port Jervis Police escort.

Additional entries list locations and hours for Woodbury, New Windsor, the Town of Wallkill, multiple Town of Warwick sites, Pine Island Fire House, Village of Florida Senior Center and Village of Greenwood Lake Senior Center, along with municipal police contacts for after-hours access. The county page indicates the list will be updated as more information becomes available and points residents to the county website for the latest details.

Public health and social equity implications are immediate. Overnight meals, showers and daytime shelter reduce exposure to hypothermia, respiratory infections and the compounding effects of unstable housing. But adult-only policies, strict curfews, limited capacities and reliance on police transport for late entry create barriers for families, youth and people who distrust law enforcement. When capacity is capped at numbers like 30 beds, staff and advocates warn that people left outside face heightened health risks and rely on informal networks for survival.

For community planning and policymakers, the listing highlights gaps to address: family-friendly and low-barrier shelter options, expanded capacity during prolonged cold spells, clear coordination between police and social services, and communication that reaches people experiencing homelessness. For residents seeking help, check the county website for updates, note each site’s hours and entry rules, and plan accordingly since spaces and services vary by location.

This updated roster is a practical resource for the immediate cold stretch and a reminder that winter safety in Orange County depends on both short-term shelter operations and longer-term investments in housing, public health and equitable access to basic services.