The George R. Brown Convention Center opened its doors to provide shelter for the homeless during the brutal winter storm that swept through Houston over the weekend.
The warming center at GRBCC opened at 4 p.m. Sunday and was already at full capacity by Monday morning.
That’s when Lakewood Church stepped in and offered its building to the remaining men, women and children who were without shelter.
We are at near capacity at our @GRBCC Shelter. I would like to thank @lakewoodchurch which is opening up as a shelter.
If you need a warning center, please call 311 or 211 and you will be directed to one of the many shelters that are being set up around our city. #houwx
— Sylvester Turner (@SylvesterTurner) February 14, 2021
Mayor Turner tweeted his concerns about overcrowding, and thanked Lakewood.
“We are at near capacity at our our GRBCC Shelter. I would like to thank Lakewood Church, which is opening up as a shelter,” he wrote.
The mega church posted on social media, encouraging anyone seeking shelter to arrive at their main entrances for intake.
“Lakewood is a designated Warming Center beginning today for anyone in need of shelter. Arrive at either of our main entrances (Lower Edloe or Timmons St,)” they shared.
Please stay warm and safe. Join us in prayer for our Texas family as we get through this winter storm. Lakewood is open as a designated Warming Center for anyone in need of shelter. pic.twitter.com/xXzwYWGVZJ
— Lakewood Church (@lakewoodchurch) February 15, 2021
For those who do not have transportation, the city of Houston has teamed up with Metro, Yellowcab and other resources to get people to the GRBCC and Lakewood.
Anyone needing shelter can call 311 to reach local outreach teams and Metro Houston.