SURREY (NEWS1130) – Surrey has more people sleeping on its streets than any other city in the Lower Mainland.

A plan is in the works to make sure more of them will have a place to sleep when the temperature starts to dip this winter.

BC Housing is offering to pay the operating costs for a shelter with 40 beds that will run from November through March. Meals and showers will be provided.

The city will have to provide the space and cover the cost of utilities.

According to the latest numbers, Surrey has about 400 homeless people — 230 of them, or 58 per cent, are unsheltered.

Vancouver has more than 1,400 homeless people — 154 of them, or 10 per cent, are unsheltered.

A report going to council admits Surrey needs more spaces.

“Surrey’s current stock of permanent year-round shelter beds (85 beds) is insufficient to accommodate Surrey’s homeless population, being approximately 400 homeless people based on the most recent counts,” the report says.

A master plan for for housing will go to council for consideration later this fall.