Beijing has decided to offer more shelter relief assistances to the homeless to help them fight the bitter winter starting from Thursday, sohu.com reports.

This is the latest move announced Wednesday by Beijing's Administrative Centre for Social Assistance in response to the recent sharp drop of temperatures that may lead to more homeless people frostbitten in winter.

The centre has called on staff from its relief offices in Beijing's 18 districts and counties to keep on patrol in search for the homeless along streets. Meanwhile, relief offices are also required to extend needy food and shelters to those strayed who may come under relief.

Hotlines, at the same time, have been made available to Beijing's locals who may come across any homeless ones.

An official from the Beijing Centre for Social Assistance said they would verify the identities of the homeless and try to contact their families. As long as they are ready to go home, they will be offered free tickets to return.

To date, some 57,000 homeless people have been rescued since the assistance policy was introduced in August, 2003.