Halifax's homeless shelters fill up as temperatures drop

Sub-zero temperatures over the past two nights have led to more people bunking down at Out Of The Cold Shelter in downtown Halifax.

It's the last resort for people referred there by several adult shelters and one youth shelter in the city when they are near capacity or they won't accept certain individuals.

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Six is the usual number of cots in the basement of St. Matthew's Church on Barrington Street, with two more available for emergencies.

But on Monday night, nine people showed up looking for a place to sleep and seven on Tuesday. As well, dozens ofhomeless came for coffee throughout the long evenings.

"We definitely saw an increase in drop-ins between 8:30 and 10:30 in the evening," said Shannon Aulenback, a volunteer organizer with Out of the Cold.

"If folks just want to drop in andget some food and warmer clothing or just hangout and socializethey can do that.I mean, our beds were full."

Biggest need is warm clothing

Between the Salvation Army and Metro Turning Point shelter,Halifax has about 120 beds available to men.

Out of the Coldalso accepts men with addictions, women, youthand transgender people, even pets.

The non-profit has a roster of 150 volunteers whotake turns doing laundry, making mealsand sorting donations of everything from snacks to toothpaste.

The biggest need is warm clothing,especially long underwear,for men.

"Right now, we are running low on men's boots and men's jackets," noted Aulenback.

"They are hot items, especially now that the weather is colder."

Out of the Cold operates until the end of April.

Aulenback says over the past year, it has welcomed a growing number of young adults. He's not sure why.

PhoenixYouth Shelteris the city's only youth shelter, with a limited number of temporary beds forpeople aged 16 to 24.