The city has added more than 160 shelter beds because of the extreme cold, but only about half were filled on Tuesday, officials said yesterday.
Outreach workers in three vans — instead of the usual one — approached about 40 people between Tuesday night and yesterday morning, but only six individuals and one dog accepted a ride to the city’s assessment and referral centre, which allocates beds, said Patricia Anderson of the Shelter Support and Housing Administration.
Despite the lack of interest so far, the higher number of beds and outreach vans will continue until the city calls off the cold weather alert, which began Tuesday.
