As temperatures climb this summer and heat waves impact the region, the City of Richmond is offering several resources and cooling options to help residents stay safe and beat the heat.

Beginning May 19, 2026 through Labor Day, the City of Richmond will offer walk-up cooling centers in neighborhoods across the City that includes Richmond Public Library locations, Parks and Recreation outdoor pools, and Southside Plaza. 

Offering accessible water and brief relief from the heat. 

Southside Plaza 

4100 Hull Street Road 

Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Community Resource and Training Center 

1900 Chamberlayne Parkway 

Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Richmond Public Library 

Various locations offer air-conditioned spaces. Operating hours vary by branch. To find individual library hours, visit: https://rvalibrary.org/about/hours/ 

Parks, Recreation and Community Facilities Outdoor Pools 

Open for public use to cool off. 

Parks and Recreation will begin the 2026 outdoor pool season on Saturday, May 23 though Monday, September 7. Please note that the department will be opening pools in two phases, outlined below.

Salvation Army Extreme Heat and Weather Shelter 

If the temperature is expected to reach 92°F for two or more consecutive hours during the day, the Salvation Army Extreme Heat and Weather Shelter will open. This space is located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue would be open from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and guests will be served water and snacks while in this cooling center.  The site will remain open overnight if temperatures are predicted to be 92°F or higher at 9 p.m.  

Communication of the opening of the the Salvation Army Extreme Heat and Weather Shelter will be done through RVA 311 and Richmond Ready. 

Pets, except for service animals, are not permitted at any location.  

The City of Richmond and Henrico County announced today the extension of their contract with CARITAS for the Inclement Weather Surge Shelter, which expanded the number of contracted days from thirty to sixty. The contract was finalized ahead of the recent storms, ensuring more shelter options for local residents. 

The contract expansion enables CARITAS to continue to provide additional capacity to support individuals experiencing unsheltered homelessness in the Greater Richmond region during extreme weather this winter. As a reminder, the Surge Shelter provides additional capacity and space for people experiencing unsheltered homelessness when the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter is full and the temperature falls below 40 degrees. The Surge Shelter can be activated when those conditions are met between December 1, 2025 and March 31, 2026.

“The recent weather conditions highlight our need for quality shelter providers during inclement weather. Extending our contract with CARITAS affirms Richmond’s commitment to compassion and stability for our most vulnerable neighbors, especially in light of the recent extreme weather,” said Amy Popovich, Deputy Chief Administrative Officer of Human Services. “CARITAS has been a trusted partner in providing shelter, support, and pathways to long-term housing. This extension allows us to continue that work together; ensuring safety, dignity, and hope for individuals and families in need.”

"The Surge Shelter has been a lifeline for many in our community through the brutal cold and other harsh conditions this winter," Henrico Board of Supervisors Chair Roscoe D. Cooper III said. "Henrico County is proud to continue our partnership with Richmond and CARITAS to keep this facility operating, providing warmth, safety and compassion to those who desperately need it."

“CARITAS is happy to continue our regional partnership for the Surge Shelter,” said Karen O’Brien, President and CEO of CARITAS. “The Surge Shelter has provided a warm, safe, and supportive space for our neighbors facing unsheltered homelessness during this harsh winter season. Our team is ready to continue serving the community and ensure that the Surge Shelter is ready when needed and activated.”

The Surge Shelter operated by CARITAS is not a walk-up shelter. Individuals in need of shelter should go to the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter at 1900 Chamberlayne Ave in Richmond as their entry point. If the Surge Shelter is operating, transportation will be provided from the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter to the Surge Shelter.

For more information about Homeless Services in the City of Richmond, please visit the Office of Homeless Services. For specific information regarding our shelter operations, please visit the City of Richmond Inclement Weather page.

The City of Richmond, in partnership with The Salvation Army, announces the activation of the Salvation Army Inclement Weather Shelter (IWS), located at 1900 Chamberlayne Avenue. The IWS will function as an overnight shelter beginning Thursday, Nov 6 to help residents stay safe and warm during periods of extremely cold temperatures.

This activation falls outside of the regular cold weather shelter season (November 15 – April 15) and is being implemented in response to forecasted low overnight temperatures this weekend and upcoming week. The Inclement Weather Shelter will open for the winter season on Saturday, November 15 at 5 p.m.

The shelter will operate:

• Thursday, Nov. 6 – Friday, Nov. 7: 5 p.m. – 8 a.m.
• Monday, Nov. 10 – Tuesday, Nov. 11: 5 p.m. – 11 a.m.
• Tuesday, Nov. 11 –Wednesday, Nov. 12: 5 p.m. – 8 a.m.
• Thursday, Nov. 13 – Friday, Nov. 14: 5 p.m. – 8 a.m.
• Friday, Nov. 14 – Saturday, November 15 : 5 p.m. – 8 a.m.

Guests are encouraged to arrive by 10 p.m. to ensure check-in and placement before lights out.

“The City of Richmond remains committed to ensuring that every resident has a safe place to go when temperatures drop to dangerous levels,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “We are grateful for our continued partnership with The Salvation Army and the many community organizations working together to protect our most vulnerable neighbors.”

The shelter is accessible by GRTC Route 1 with nearby stops along Chamberlayne Parkway. Riders can use the GRTC Transit On The Go app or visit ridegrtc.com to plan their trip.

For more information about the City’s cold weather response and available resources, residents can visit Inclement Weather | Richmond.

The City of Richmond’s Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response (OOSUR) has launched a new harm reduction initiative aimed at preventing overdoses and supporting residents living with substance use disorders. As part of this effort, harm reduction vending machines are being installed at key locations across the city.

These machines will provide free, 24/7 access to life-saving resources such as naloxone (Narcan), fentanyl test strips, and personal hygiene items. The initiative is designed to reduce barriers to care, increase health equity, and ultimately save lives.

“This life-saving program is about meeting people where they are, with compassion and dignity,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “Harm reduction vending machines are a proven tool to prevent overdose deaths and connect individuals with the support they need. Richmond is proud to be among the cities leading with science, safety, and humanity.”

Key features of the vending machines include:

• Free, anonymous access to supplies
• Round-the-clock availability
• QR codes linking to treatment, recovery, and support services
• Strategic placement in neighborhoods most impacted by overdose

Newly hired Opioid Response Strategist Anna Jones of OOSUR, emphasized the importance of reducing stigma and expanding access for residents saying “People deserve to be safe and supported, no matter where they are in their journey. These vending machines are not just about supplies; they’re a bridge to care, to hope, and to healing.”

The first machines are now operational at Marshall Plaza (900 E. Marshall Street) and Southside Plaza (4100 Hull Street). An additional machine will be installed at East End Library (1200 N. 25^th Street) later this month, with additional units planned for installation later this year based on data and community input.

For more information and updates, visit https://www.rva.gov/human-services/opioid-response.  

In response to the ongoing opioid crisis and the growing need for comprehensive substance use prevention and recovery services, the City of Richmond is proud to announce the creation of the Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response (OOSUR). 

This newly established office will serve as the central hub for coordinating the City’s efforts to reduce the impact of substance use disorders across the community. Housed within the Human Services Portfolio under the Deputy Chief Administrative Officer, OOSUR will work in close collaboration with local health providers, public safety agencies, community-based organizations, and people with lived experience to develop a strategic, data-informed, and compassionate approach to addressing substance use. 

“The opioid crisis continues to devastate families across Richmond,” said Mayor Danny Avula. “The launch of this office marks a pivotal step forward in ensuring that our response is not only comprehensive, but rooted in equity, harm reduction, and long-term healing for our residents.” 

Key functions of the office include: 

• Coordinating prevention, treatment, and recovery initiatives across city agencies and community partners 

• Expanding public education and awareness campaigns 

• Supporting harm reduction strategies, including access to naloxone and overdose prevention resources 

• Strengthening data collection and analysis to inform citywide response 

The office will be led by Anna Jones as the Opioid Response Strategist. Jones is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker with extensive experience in substance use response and community engagement. Most recently, she served as the Opioid Outreach Coordinator for Chesterfield County where she led comprehensive, county-wide initiatives to implement and evaluate public health strategies aimed at combating the opioid crisis. Additional staff members include a Policy Advisor for Opioid Response Coordination and an Opioid Abatement Authority Project Coordinator. 

“We are committed to meeting this crisis head-on with compassion and urgency,” said Jones. “OOSUR will help ensure that Richmond residents affected by substance use have access to the support, treatment, and dignity they deserve.” 

The launch of the Office of Opioid and Substance Use Response aligns with the City’s broader commitment to advancing public health, racial equity, and community resilience. 

For more information and resources, visit https://www.rva.gov/human-services/opioid-response.