City activates Auburn Boulevard Outreach and Engagement Center as cooling location

With the National Weather Service forecasting temperatures above 100 degrees for the next several days, the City of Sacramento today will activate the Auburn Boulevard Outreach and Engagement Center as a place where people can cool down.

The center, at 3615 Auburn Blvd. will open from 2-10 p.m. today through at least Friday, Aug. 19. It can accommodate up to 50 people at a time and offers limited space for pets and belongings in addition to water, snacks and places to recharge devices.

The non-profit organization that operates the Auburn Boulevard site for the City of Sacramento continues to hire more staff, but the site is not yet open for overnight guests. The City anticipates being able to open the facility as a full-time outreach and engagement center that offers overnight respite within the next few weeks.

The Sacramento City Council recently voted unanimously to allow the center to open for respite regardless of weather conditions. Previously this summer, the site was only activated when the National Weather Service issued a heat advisory.

The County of Sacramento also is opening two locations for heat-related respite. The County locations are scheduled to be open 2 to 8 p.m. today through Friday, Aug. 19 at these locations:

• DHA Annex: 1725 28th St. Sacramento
• DHA Customer Service Center: 5747 Watt Ave., North Highlands

In addition to the respite centers, public libraries and City of Sacramento community centers are open during their regular business hours, and people can also use these buildings to escape the heat during the week. Their hours will vary.