More shelter from the cold

Almost 300 extra beds were opened last night for the homeless, as the cold weather continues across the Lower Mainland.

In Vancouver, the additional spaces are at various churches and community centres.

Surrey officials opened beds at the Urban Mission, Hyland House and the Aboriginal Centre.

Three different locations were offering mats in Langley. And there were extra mats available in the Tri-Cities, New Westminster, Maple Ridge and Richmond.

The additional shelter for the homeless came after concerns were raised about communications problems that left hundreds of people out in the cold on Monday night.

• FROM JAN. 4, 2004: Cold weather communication fails homeless