Tia Bannerman is one of many Surrey residents who are homeless. Over the past winter she’s had to rely on homeless shelters to keep warm, a place where she’s felt embraced and welcomed.

“Everyone looks out for each other here,” Bannerman said while visiting the Surrey Urban Mission Society shelter at King George and 108th Avenue, known as “SUMS Place”.

But shelters in cities like Surrey and Chilliwack are worried how they’re going to cope next winter after struggling to keep up with demand during some of the coldest days this past winter.

Jack O'Halloran, the CEO of SUMS, said his shelters turn away visitors nightly due to the lack of beds.

“We're always full,” said O’Halloran. “365 days a year, we barely have any empty spaces.”

SUMS runs four permanent shelters in Surrey, which inclu

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