The low-barrier Homeless Emergency Action Team (HEAT) shelters were announced on December 9, 2008 by Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson to assist Vancouver’s homeless citizens during an extremely cold winter. The province of British Columbia, City of Vancouver and Streetohome Foundation each provided funding of $500,000 at the time. They were conceived by the Homeless Emergency Action Team. There were a total of 5 shelters: In March 2009 the province of British Columbia provided an additional $1.5 million to keep the shelters open until the end of June.