HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-21-2026; 4-a - Proclamation of Appreciation for Cold Weather Cots Collaboration 1
ORANGE COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT
Meeting Date: April 21, 2026
Action Agenda
Item No. 4-a
SUBJECT: Proclamation of Appreciation for Cold Weather Cots Collaboration
DEPARTMENT: Board of Commissioners
ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT:
Proclamation Jean Hamilton, Board Chair, 919-245-
2130
PURPOSE: To approve a proclamation recognizing and appreciating the collaborative work
supporting the County's Cold Weather Cots program.
BACKGROUND: Orange County started operating a Cold Weather Cots (CWC) program in FY
2023-2024 due to the increasing need for emergency cold weather shelter. The Inter-Faith Council
for Social Services (IFC) operates two (2) shelters that provide 20 emergency cold weather cots
in the winter (17 for men and 3 for women). However, these cots were consistently full and had a
waiting list.
As the community's unsheltered population increased, Orange County launched the current CWC
program three (3) years ago to serve men and women on nights when the temperature was 32
degrees or below. For the first year, the BOCC Meeting Room at Southern Human Services was
used as the site. In the second year, University Baptist Church in downtown Chapel Hill provided
space to the County for the site.
This winter, the Town of Chapel Hill provided its former police department building at 828 Martin
Luther King, Jr. Boulevard for the CWC location. The Housing Department, in close collaboration
with many partners, manages the CWC program. Each year, the program has grown and served
more community members. Additionally, the funding, staffing and support needs have increased.
Under the coordination of Heather Pack Aponte, the County's Homeless Programs Coordinator,
the CWC program was open 56 nights this winter and served 217 individuals. The program would
not have been possible without the work and collaboration of many dedicated permanent staff,
temporary staff and volunteers.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: There is no financial impact associated with consideration of this
proclamation.
ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports:
• GOAL 2: HEALTHY COMMUNITY
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Increase equitable access to care and social safety net programming to promote the
physical, social, and mental well-being of our community
• GOAL 3: HOUSING FOR ALL
Promote equitable and accessible housing and address housing disparities through
policies, partnerships, and collaboration to create a thriving community
RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve and authorize the
Chair to sign the proclamation.
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ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
PROCLAMATION
APPRECIATION FOR COLD WEATHER COT COLLABORATION
WHEREAS, in 2023, Orange County started a Cold Weather Cot program to ensure unhoused
community members had access to safe and warm overnight shelter when temperatures reached 32
degrees or below; and
WHEREAS, Orange County has operated this warming shelter every winter since 2023 at a different,
but accessible, location in Chapel Hill that is open to anyone in need throughout the County; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill provided the former Chapel Hill Police Department at 828 Martin
Luther King, Jr. Boulevard for this winter's Cold Weather Cot location and between November and
March, 217 individuals were served over 56 nights; and
WHEREAS, Orange County's Housing Department has coordinated and managed the Cold Weather
Cots program since its start and has seen an increased need and more challenges each year, with an
average overnight population of 40 guests; and
WHEREAS, the Cold Weather Cot program would not be possible without the work of Heather Pack
Aponte, the County's Homeless Programs Coordinator, a dedicated team of temporary overnight
coordinator staff, the Street Outreach, Harm Reduction and Deflection (SOHRAD) staff, other Housing
department leadership and staff, and from multiple County departments providing support as needed
including Asset Management Services, Social Services, Health, Aging, and Community Justice
Resources; and
WHEREAS, the faith community, including University Baptist Church, University Presbyterian Church,
First Baptist Church, Holy Trinity Lutheran, Kehilah Congregation, St. Matthew's Episcopal Church and
Hillsborough Presbyterian Church, all provided critical support including the preparation of nightly home-
cooked meals; and
WHEREAS, many community groups and individuals, including Triangle Mutual Aid, Alpha Pie/the
Gathering Place, Community Empowerment Fund, Inter-faith Council for Social Service, and the Chapel
Hill/Carrboro Mother's Club, all contributed food, supplies and donations that were essential to
operations; and
WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has provided generous ongoing support to the Cold Weather Cots
Program through its Police Department, Crisis Unit and Chapel Hill Transit; and
WHEREAS, while Orange County is committed to reducing homelessness and increasing low-barrier
housing opportunities, we also recognize the need to ensure that residents are able to stay safe, warm
and sheltered when temperatures are dangerously low;
NOW THEREFORE, we, the Orange County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim our
appreciation and gratitude to all of the County staff, faith groups, community members and
organizations, and the Town of Chapel Hill for their collaboration and support of the Cold Weather Cots
Program.
This the 21 st day of April, 2026.
Jean Hamilton, Chair
Orange County Board of Commissioners