Bridgeport's Alpha Community Services YMCA's warming center is seeing an increase in the amount of homeless people coming in from the cold to spend the night as temps drop.

Sabina Cardoso says homelessness is still a problem in Bridgeport. Now that the colder months are here, Alpha Community Services YMCA is helping those in need of a place to stay keep warm.

The warming center at 650 Park Ave. opened at the beginning of the month and will remain open through April.

Those looking to warm up can spend the night. They're given a cot with a pillow and blankets. There's room for up to 30 people.

With temps in the 20s overnight Sunday, Cardoso says the shelter hit capacity.

"Roughly they've been getting between 28 to 30. Last night, we had 30," Cardoso says.

Cardoso says when the state's severe cold weather protocol is activated, people seeking shelter are referred to Pacific House if the Y runs out of room.

She says the goal is to get everyone who comes through the doors into permanent supportive housing so they don't end up back on the streets when the weather gets warmer.