The Seminole area is in the throes of nearly unprecedented cold weather conditions, which could prove fatal for those without a permanent roof over their head.

Homelessness, whether chronic or temporary, is prevalent in every community, including Seminole, and city leaders are doing their part to help people escape the bitterly cold conditions.

The city has a few spaces for warming at the emergency service building, located on Harvey Road, just east of Strother Avenue.

If you see stranded motorists or people without shelter you may report to (405) 584-7540 for transportation or direct them to knock on the fire department door. Those in need of shelter will be escorted to an area away from emergency operations.

There are a few rules in place: No pets, masks must be worn at all times, no alcohol or drugs, no smoking and patrons are asked to not bring bedding.

According to endhomelessness.org, 17 out of every 10,000 people in the United States were experiencing homelessness on a single night in January 2019 during HUD’s Annual Point-in-Time Count.

These 567,715 people represent a cross-section of America. They are associated with every region of the country, family status, gender category, and racial/ ethnic group.

Seventy percent of people experiencing homelessness are individuals who are living on their own or in the company of other adults. The remainder (30 percent) are people in families with children.

Homelessness is significantly defined by gender. Sixty percent of all people experiencing homelessness are male. Amongst individuals, the numbers are starker—70 percent are men and unaccompanied male youth.

Compared to the previous year, homelessness increased by three percent in the 2019 Point-in-Time Count. This marked the third straight year of national-level increases.