Winter cold weather shelters open to LA's homeless

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (FOX 11 / CNS) - Weather shelters are now operating in various Los Angeles County locations and more are slated to open soon, authorities said Wednesday.

Bassett Park at 510 Vineland Ave. in La Puente opened today and will remain available to those seeking shelter from cold and/or rainy weather though Dec. 8, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority.

"Warm meals and pet accommodations are provided," according to an authority statement that said doors open at 6 p.m., but when it rains, the shelter shifts to 24-hour operation.

As of Thursday, shelters will be open in Bell, the East San Gabriel Valley, Highland Park, Lancaster, Santa Clarita, Skid Row, South Los Angeles, Sylmar and West Los Angeles.

Shelters in Lancaster and Santa Clarita opened last Thursday. Shelters in Pacoima, Long Beach and Pomona will open later in December, according to the Homeless Services Authority.

Most of the shelters will remain open until March 1, officials said.

Transportation options are available. More information, including locations, are available on the Homeless Service Authority website at www.lahsa.org/ces/winter-shelter/ or at (800) 548-6047.

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