Montpelier Area Shelter Options

There are several different groups working to provide cold-weather sheltering for people living outdoors in Montpelier, Berlin, and Barre.

Montpelier Emergency Cold Weather Shelter
The Montpelier Emergency Cold Weather Shelter (MECWS) is a “pop-up” shelter that serves as an overflow to the nightly shelter when the temperature and/or wind chill fall below 10° for multiple hours during the night. Located in the basement of Montpelier City Hall, MECWS is largely a volunteer-based shelter that operates from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m on the nights when the weather criteria are met, and we can obtain volunteers for the night.

Barre City Extreme Weather Overnight Shelter
The Barre City Extreme Weather Overnight Shelter (BCEWOS) is similar to MECWS as a pop-up shelter on extreme weather nights. They have their own criteria for opening, and regularly post updates here regarding their status. The shelter runs from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. at the Barre Congregational Church.