As the cold sets in with the arrival of winter, local shelters are reaching out to the city's homeless population to help them get out of the cold.

For those without a home, winter is the worst time of the year. And it is also the busiest time for staff at local shelters.

Lai Qin, head of Hangzhou Shelter Station, said,"We usually reach out to the homeless two times a week. With the weather getting colder, we go out to search for them as often as we can, to ensure their safety. At the shelters, they can have a warm meal and a warm place to stay."

With new regulations, homeless people are free to choose whether to go to the shelter or stay where they are. Helping the homeless has become more difficult as many choose to stay outside in the cold.

-It is going to snow tonight. It'll be very cold.

-Let it snow, I don't care.

-You'll get sick.

-No, I won't.

Trying to persuade someone to get out of the cold often ends in conversations like this. The aid workers left the old man with a quilt and some clothes.

Some of the homeless spoke about why many choose to shun the shelters.

"I'll choose to stay in the shelter if they can take care of me for the rest of my life. But I can only stay there for several days. And what about next time? They will kick us out. I come from the northeast and it's minus thirty degrees Celsius now, what can I do then?"

According to regulations, people are only allowed to stay at the shelters for no more than 10 days.

Lai Qin said,"The shelters can only provide temporarily aid to the homeless. We are not like nursing homes, we don't make money. Besides, many homeless people make a living by collecting things to recycle so its not convenient for them to travel this far just for a warm meal."

The Ministry of Civil Affairs has urged shelters nationwide to help the homeless in order to prevent deaths from cold temperatures.

Necessities such as blankets, coats and other materials will also be provided for those who refuse to lodge in shelters. Police stations and urban management units will also be on hand to provide timely and effective relief work.

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