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Where To Find Warming Stations In Gwinnett County

Baby It’s Cold Outside: No One Should Face Freezing Temperatures Alone

As temperatures are expected to dip below 35°F, Gwinnett County is taking action to make sure no one has to face freezing weather without help. When the thermometer falls this low, the county will open five warming stations on Thursday, January 15, from 6:00 pm to 7:00 am. These stations are warm places where people can rest, eat, and stay safe through the night.

If you or someone you know needs a warm place to go, visit GwinnettCounty.com/WarmingStations or call 770-822-8850 to find the nearest location. Public transportation options are available via RideGwinnett — check RideGwinnett.com for real-time bus tracking and micro-transit schedules.

Why These Warming Stations Matter

Cold weather like this does more than make you uncomfortable — it can be dangerous. Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can lead to hypothermia, frostbite, and other serious health problems. For people without stable housing, the risk is even greater.

Gwinnett County’s warming stations offer:

✅ A warm place to rest
✅ Hot meals or snacks
✅ A safe space overnight
✅ Access to transportation information and community services

These are not long-term shelters, but critical short-term relief when temperatures threaten people’s health and safety.

The Five Warming Station Locations

Here are the warming stations that will be open when temperatures drop below 35°F:

1. Buford

Buford Senior Center
2755 Sawnee Avenue
Bus route 101 I-985 (stop 19)
Bus route 50 (stop 5047)

2. Duluth

Shorty Howell Park Activity Building
2750 Pleasant Hill Road
Bus route 10B (stop 542 & 108)

3. Norcross

Best Friend Park Gym
6224 Jimmy Carter Boulevard
Bus route 35 (stop 407 & 906)

4. Snellville

Gwinnett Community Resource Center at Bethany Church Road
3025 Bethany Church Road
Bus route 70 (stop 7010 & 7023)
Snellville microtransit

5. Lawrenceville

Lawrenceville Senior Center
225 Benson Street
Bus route 40 (stop 836 & 337)
Lawrenceville microtransit

Homelessness in Gwinnett County: A Closer Look

Cold weather affects everyone — but it especially threatens those without secure homes. In Gwinnett County, homelessness and housing instability are ongoing challenges.

Who Experiences Homelessness Here?

According to the 2022 Point-in-Time (PIT) Count — a snapshot of homelessness on a single night — Gwinnett had 930 people experiencing homelessness, including both those sheltered in facilities and those unsheltered.

Gwinnett is also reported to have one of the largest homeless populations in the metro Atlanta area and the third-highest in the state of Georgia — a sign that housing insecurity is a serious local concern.

A separate count of school data shows that over 2,000 students in Gwinnett County public schools are unhoused, and many of them live in unstable situations such as motels or doubling up with others.

The Hidden Homeless

Not all homelessness is visible. Many families and individuals live in what’s called hidden homelessness — staying in temporary or unstable housing like extended-stay motels, with friends or family, or in overcrowded conditions. These people may not show up in some official counts, even though they lack stable homes.

Why Cold Weather is So Dangerous

Being homeless in freezing weather isn’t just uncomfortable — it can be life-threatening.

Risks of Cold Exposure

Hypothermia — body loses heat faster than it can produce it
Frostbite — skin and underlying tissue can freeze
Weakened immune response
Increased risk of accidents and health emergencies

When people have no warm shelter, these conditions become much more likely — especially for older adults, children, and people with health challenges.

How Warming Stations Help

Warming stations are designed to provide short-term safety when conditions become dangerous. Here’s how they make a difference:

✅ Keep people out of freezing cold
✅ Reduce risk of hypothermia and frostbite
✅ Provide meals and hydration
✅ Connect visitors with transportation and services
✅ Give people a resting place when nothing else is available

These stations are part of Gwinnett County’s emergency response plan to protect residents during extreme weather.

How to Get Help or Help Others

If You Need Help

Visit a warming station between 6:00 pm and 7:00 am when temperatures are below 35°F
Call 770-822-8850 for assistance or information
Visit GwinnettCounty.com/WarmingStations online for details

If You Want to Help

You can volunteer at warming stations — ask when you call or visit
Donate blankets, coats, or warm clothing to local charities
Share information with neighbors in need

Many local nonprofits and community groups help year-round with housing support, food access, and pathways out of homelessness.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What are warming stations?

Warming stations are temporary indoor locations opened by Gwinnett County to provide a warm place, food, and rest during dangerously cold weather — especially when temperatures go below 35°F.

Who can go to a warming station?

Anyone in need of relief from cold weather — including people experiencing homelessness, people without adequate heating at home, and others at risk of cold exposure — can visit a warming station.

Are warming stations free?

Yes. Warming stations are free for anyone who needs them during cold weather events.

Do warming stations offer meals?

Yes. Visitors can warm up, rest, and receive a meal or snack while the station is open.

How long are warming stations open?

Stations open each night from 6:00 pm to 7:00 am when temperatures are forecast to fall to 35°F or below.

Can I volunteer at a warming station?

Yes — Gwinnett County often needs volunteers to help warm up spaces, greet guests, and support staff during cold weather activations.

Final Thought — Nobody Should Freeze Alone

When the cold hits, it affects everyone — but especially those without a warm place to go. Gwinnett County’s warming stations are more than just buildings; they’re lifelines for people in crisis. With homelessness still a reality for hundreds of local residents and thousands of students at risk, these stations are a critical part of community care.

If you know someone who might need shelter from the cold, reach out, share this information, and help them find a warm place to rest tonight.

Learn More About Gwinnett County