The record heat pushed dozens of people to a cooling center in downtown Jacksonville.
>>> STREAM PROMOTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<
The City Rescue Mission (CRM) opened their doors with the air conditioning on and the showers ready. Their director told Action News Jax that this weather is dangerous and people should take shelter.
[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]
Saturday night temperatures were just under 100 degrees.
CRM resident Cory McCain was grateful the organization welcomed him.
“The staff here really takes care of you. They make sure you are doing well and give you what you need. If they can’t help you, they’ll try to find it,” McCain said.
In addition to housing more than 100 homeless people, the mission also admitted dozens of people to the cooling center.
CRM director Paul Stasi wants people to know that this service is available to you if you need it.
“We want people off the streets and within our faculties, especially those who are homeless and have medical conditions. We want them to be safe here with air conditioning and a free meal,” Stasi said.
Action News Jax first told you in March that Northeast Florida’s unsheltered homeless population has seen a large increase in the past year. The number has increased from 396 individuals in 2023 to 567 this year.
That translates into an increase of 43%.
RELATED: NE Florida’s unsheltered homeless population is increasing as state and local leaders look for solutions
“I’ll soon be on my way back and back on my feet, so I’m really grateful to the staff here at CRM,” said McCain.
[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]
click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to live stream Action News Jax.
