BOISE -- This is the most dangerous time of year to be homeless and as temperatures plummet, concerns rise.
The city, along with several non-profit and religious-based groups, announced a three-step approach to help the homeless.
After opening a day shelter at the Pioneer Community Center earlier this month, the city is now expanding that program.
The day shelter will be open seven days a week, and is specifically geared toward homeless families with pre-school aged children. It will provide free lunch and snacks and offer structured learning for the children.
The city also announced it will triple its motel voucher program to $15,000. This is used for emergency overflow situations when all the shelters are full.
And the third prong involves significant stimulus dollars.
In the next few weeks, through the federal Homeless Prevention and Rapid Rehousing funds, Boise will have nearly $1.3 million in direct aid for those at risk of homelessness.
Mark Berry, his fiance and their three young children are exactly who these efforts aim to help.
"I think that's really helpful because that will give us someplace to go, other than being in the cold, to look for job and so [my family] doesn't have to be in the cold," said Berry.
This temporary shelter will be open during the day, seven days a week, from now through the first part of April.
Bieter says the money for these projects came from the city's general fund.
