diff --git a/home/README.md b/home/README.md
index cc5771b68d..31e526d985 100644
--- a/home/README.md
+++ b/home/README.md
@@ -13,7 +13,9 @@ First, you'll need a settings file like so in `MATS/home`:
     "config": {
         "is_met_express": false,
         "is_production": false,
-        "environment_label": "Development"
+        "environment_label": "Development",
+        "display_alert": false,
+        "alert_message": "Lorem ipsum dolor shutdown amet..."
     },
     "groups": [
     {
diff --git a/home/main.go b/home/main.go
index 787d068574..8f63e59a25 100644
--- a/home/main.go
+++ b/home/main.go
@@ -15,6 +15,8 @@ type ConfigJSON struct {
 		IsMETexpress     bool   `json:"is_met_express"`
 		IsProduction     bool   `json:"is_production"`
 		EnvironmentLabel string `json:"environment_label"`
+		DisplayAlert     bool   `json:"display_alert"`
+		AlertMessage     string `json:"alert_message"`
 	} `json:"config"`
 	Groups []struct {
 		Name string `json:"name"`
diff --git a/home/templates/alert.html b/home/templates/alert.html
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..4d0e19352b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/home/templates/alert.html
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+<!-- Mostly used to convey government shutdowns -->
+
+<div class="container-fluid p-3" style="background-color: #dddddd">
+  <div class="alert alert-danger" role="alert">
+    <p>{{ .Config.AlertMessage }}</p>
+  </div>
+</div>
diff --git a/home/templates/index.html b/home/templates/index.html
index 1eaeb1d459..cc959f2f7c 100644
--- a/home/templates/index.html
+++ b/home/templates/index.html
@@ -13,6 +13,10 @@
     <div id="main" class="container-fluid">
       {{ template "navbar.html" . }}
 
+      {{ if .Config.DisplayAlert }}
+        {{ template "alert.html" . }}
+      {{ end }}
+
       {{ if .Config.IsMETexpress }}
       {{ else }}
         {{ template "toggles.html" . }}