This photograph was taken by ACCESS staff last summer during an open house at the warming shelter in Medford, at 332 W. Sixth St. The facility, which can house 62 people, has yet to open this cold season.

It’s cold out there, which means it’s time for warming shelters to open in Jackson County. Or not.

While a shelter in Ashland has been open since Thanksgiving and before, Medford’s shelter has yet to open, because each shelter has different criteria for when it opens.

The trigger to open in Ashland is when temperatures of 32 degree or colder are predicted, while the trigger in Medford is 25 degrees or colder predicted, or 32 degrees and precipitation or wind predicted.

Temperatures actually dipped to 23 degrees at the Rogue Valley International Airport early Saturday and to 25 degree early Monday in Medford.

The Ashland warming shelter, which has a 28-person capacity, has been averaging seven to nine users a night, according to Kelly Burns with the city of Ashland.

“It appears that’s been going pretty well,” Burns said Monday. “One of the nights they were at 14 (users). They’re doing their best to work with that low-barrier population. They’re thankful to have a place to sleep that’s warm and dry.”

Low barrier is a reference to any preconditions that people must meet.

Avram Sacks, who coordinates volunteers for the shelter and another 30-bed shelter at the same location, said about 25 volunteers have signed up to help with meals and as hosts.

“We’re in pretty good shape, but we’re always interested in more volunteers,” he said.

Reach Sacks at 541-220-7307 to volunteer.

Ashland contracts with Opportunities for Housing Resources and Assistance to operate the warming shelter when it is needed, through March, at a cost not to exceed $100,000. Last year, the city’s warming shelter opened 64 times at another location.

In Medford, this is the third year that the city will have a warming shelter. In the fiscal year ending June 30, an estimated 211 people used it over 48 days, but many people used it multiple times, for a total of 3,112 overnight stays.

“They can expect to have a meal, secure storage space, snacks … and a bunk,” said Matt Rogers, shelter manager.

The shelter houses up to 62 adults. Families with children are housed elsewhere. Service dogs are OK, if they are not aggressive. Staff and security are always on site.

“It’s basically treat others the way you want to be treated,” Rogers said, referring to the rules. “We ask people to clean up after themselves.”

If the shelter is full, people can still stop in to get warm and get something to eat.

“We don’t turn them away without letting them have a blanket, hand warmers and a warm drink,” Rogers said.

“It’s a great place for people to be,” he said. “We have numerous success stories, people who are beyond happy.”

Funding for the center is a combination of city, state and other sources.

“We have people who find us the money and I’m really good at spending it,” Rogers said.

He said ACCESS has enough staff and volunteers to open the shelter when the city notifies them that severe weather is predicted that meets the criteria. Volunteers receive training.

“We could always use more volunteers,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to help those who are in need.”

More information Medford Severe Weather Shelter Address: 332 W Sixth St. Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., during severe weather. Criteria for opening: Temperatures predicted to drop to 25 degrees or colder; or temperatures are predicted to drop to at least 32 degrees with precipitation or wind. Extreme heat and smoke also can prompt opening. Notifications: Posted to city website, posted to Facebook or sent via text message. Sign up for alerts by texting MED4SHELTERS to 888777. Capacity: 62. Adults only. Families can be housed elsewhere. Non-aggressive service dogs are welcome. First come, first served. Services: Food, water, restrooms, secure storage, beds and referrals to services. Misc.: Operated by ACCESS in cooperation with the city of Medford. Volunteers welcome. For more information, contact ACCESS at 541-779-6691. Ashland Severe Weather Emergency Shelter Address: 2200 Ashland St. Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., during severe weather. Lights out at 10 p.m. Criteria for opening: 32 degrees or colder. Notifications: Posted to the city website and Facebook. Text alerts sent to people who subscribe by texting 97520shelter to 888777. Capacity: 28 adults. Families with children housed elsewhere. Misc.: Operated by Opportunities for Housing Resources and Assistance in cooperation with the city of Ashland. Volunteers welcome. For more information: Reach OHRA at 541-631-2235.

Medford Severe Weather Shelter

Address: 332 W Sixth St.

Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., during severe weather.

Criteria for opening: Temperatures predicted to drop to 25 degrees or colder; or temperatures are predicted to drop to at least 32 degrees with precipitation or wind. Extreme heat and smoke also can prompt opening.

Notifications: Posted to city website, posted to Facebook or sent via text message. Sign up for alerts by texting MED4SHELTERS to 888777.

Capacity: 62. Adults only. Families can be housed elsewhere. Non-aggressive service dogs are welcome. First come, first served.

Services: Food, water, restrooms, secure storage, beds and referrals to services.

Misc.: Operated by ACCESS in cooperation with the city of Medford. Volunteers welcome.

For more information, contact ACCESS at 541-779-6691.

Ashland Severe Weather Emergency Shelter

Address: 2200 Ashland St.

Hours: 5 p.m. to 9 a.m., during severe weather. Lights out at 10 p.m.

Criteria for opening: 32 degrees or colder.

Notifications: Posted to the city website and Facebook. Text alerts sent to people who subscribe by texting 97520shelter to 888777.

Capacity: 28 adults. Families with children housed elsewhere.

Misc.: Operated by Opportunities for Housing Resources and Assistance in cooperation with the city of Ashland. Volunteers welcome.

For more information: Reach OHRA at 541-631-2235.