Fargo Cass Public Health (FCPH) is announcing that the final night of the 2025–2026 Winter Warming Operation will be Wednesday, April 15. The overnight service at the Downtown Engagement Center will close for the season the following morning at 8 a.m. on Thursday, April 16.
In the weeks leading up to the closure of Winter Warming, staff have been working with guests to identify alternative housing or shelter options. These conversations are an important step in helping guests transition from temporary overnight shelter toward more stable, long-term housing. Staff are also able to assist in identifying specialized housing considerations such as medical care, pets or the need for secure storage of belongings.
Shelters across the community were at or over capacity for much of the 2025-2026 winter season, but crowding was eased with the opening of the New Life Center’s Operation Hope overflow shelter. “The opening of Operation Hope allowed us to better match individuals needing overnight shelter with the most appropriate shelter during our intake process,” said Jordan Joshua, FCPH Harm Reduction Division Operational Lead. “This led to less crowding at Winter Warming and a better overnight experience for our guests.”
Winter Warming is the City of Fargo’s proactive plan to assist individuals experiencing homelessness when area shelters have reached capacity. The current operation opened for the season on November 24, 2025, and takes place on the main level of the Downtown Engagement Center (DEC). Through Tuesday, April 14, the current Winter Warming operation has served a total of 638 unique individuals, with an average of 62 individuals served each night.
Winter Warming serves to protect some of the most vulnerable members of the community by preventing negative health impacts and cold weather-related injuries during the coldest months. Winter Warming is not intended to meet all the needs of unhoused individuals in our community, as both resources and capacity are limited.
In early May, the process to transition services of the DEC to the new location at 2001 1st Ave. N. will begin. The date for opening services at the new location will be announced at a later time.