TORONTO, Feb. 10 /CNW/ - The City of Toronto has activated additional

support services to help get homeless people in from the cold by calling an

extreme cold weather alert. The alert is in effect until further notice.

     While City services for homeless people are focused on permanent housing,

when severe winter weather is forecast, the priority becomes one of immediate

safety.

     Extreme cold weather alerts open an additional 80 emergency shelter

spaces in Toronto. An extended outreach effort sees vans patrolling city

streets overnight checking on homeless people and providing them with

transportation to shelter. TTC tickets are also available at drop-in centres,

to help homeless people reach shelters.

     The City's Hostel Services issues an extreme cold weather alert based on

information from Environment Canada that predicts Toronto will experience a

temperature of -15 degrees Celsius or lower without wind chill; a wind chill

worthy of a warning to curb outdoor activity; and/or extreme weather, such as

a blizzard or ice storm. Hostel Services can also call an alert or put on

extra services at when there are concerns about the safety of homeless people.

     For more information, visit www.toronto.ca/housing.

     Toronto is Canada's largest city and sixth largest government, and home

to a diverse population of about 2.6 million people. It is the economic engine

of Canada and one of the greenest and most creative cities in North America.

In the past three years, Toronto has won more than 70 awards for quality,

innovation and efficiency in delivering public services. Toronto's government

is dedicated to prosperity, opportunity and liveability for all its residents.