KILLEEN, Texas — The City of Killeen is offering a warming center at 801 North 4th St. for those in need from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. beginning on Tuesday, Oct. 31 through Thursday, Nov. 2.
While this is much needed for the unhoused in the community or simply for people seeking warmth, Killeen resident Tasha McCoy says this is something the City should offer regularly in a permanent place.
"Every year we have freezing temperatures and the facility changes and it is not consistent," McCoy explained.
McCoy and another Killeen philanthropist, Melissa Brown, have been donating blankets and food to local shelters that have been housing as many unhoused people as they can to assist.
McCoy hopes the City will step in and do more for the community in times like this.
"I love helping my community because my mother, who is a veteran, was unhoused at one point," McCoy continued. "But quite frankly, it's not my job. I know the City of Killeen has been working but we need to get it done."
The City relies on partnering with organizations to operate warming and cooling centers.
In the past, the City collaborated with the Killeen Housing Authority (KHA) to provide a warming center at the Moss Rose Center.
However, due to the lack of staff and major changes happening within the KHA, board member Bruce Whiteside explained how this can't happen because the center is not properly insured.
"There's an investigation going on about what's happening with all the funds at the KHA," Whiteside explained. "I can't speak to that right now, but the biggest problem is funding and we don't have the funding."
When it comes to the City of Killeen providing permanent warming/cooling centers, Killeen spokesperson Janell Ford told 6 News the City does not have enough staffing or funding to make that happen yet.
"People don't think about the money part, but it is a factor and we want to be fiscally responsible when it comes to the citizens dollars," Ford added.
Ford went on to say Killeen Mayor Debbie Nash-King will address the council to request more funding to provide more resources to the warming center. The City hopes residents will attend the meeting to voice their concerns to the council.
"We want them to know 'Here's what it takes in order to do this,'" Ford added. "This is taxpayer dollars that are going to pay for this."
The next Killen City Council meeting will be at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 14 at 101 N. College St., Killeen, TX, 76541.
In addition, if organizations like churches or community groups are able and willing to open their facilities and provide volunteers, contact the City of Killeen at (254) 501-7706.
Warming center locations across Central Texas can be found here.