Homelessness in the winter

image by Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times

Even in Los Angeles there’s a risk of hypothermia.

Experiencing homelessness is a matter of survival. It’s hard on your body. It’s hard on your mind. And it’s hard on your emotions. It’s hard, especially during the winter.

The risks of winter
When temperatures drop, those without shelter, warm clothes, blankets, and nutritious meals face serious health concerns. Even temperatures under 50ºF put many — seniors and children especially — at risk of hypothermia.

During hypothermia, people might have decreased awareness, an elevated heart rate, and irregular blood flow. A lack of basic needs during the wintertime puts people experiencing homelessness at a distinct risk to their health.

Last resorts to staying warm
To stay warm, people who are unhoused resort to unsafe measures — like alcohol, drugs, and lighting small fires.

Alcohol
Alcohol might emulate feeling warm, but in cold weather, it does quite the opposite. Since alcohol opens up blood vessels, it makes people more susceptible to colder temperatures.

Fire
Fires, on the other hand, might be effective at warming people; they are also incredibly dangerous. When unhoused people attempt to light a fire on the street they also put themselves and those around them at risk for injury. In fact, during cold spells there are more reported burn victims in emergency rooms.

That’s why warm, safe, and stable housing is vital. Our services at the Weingart Center are designed to uplift those experiencing homelessness by creating pathways to stable and safe housing.

Learn more at weingart.org.