BY STEPHANIE BARISH wpix.com

2:53 p.m. EST, December 29, 2009
NEW YORK (WPIX)—
The crippling economy is forcing Long Island's homeless shelters to go into over-drive.

The number of homeless people in Nassau and Suffolk Counties looking for refuge in shelters has peaked to nearly 2,000 which is reportedly straining an island-wide system of 65 emergency shelters.

Since the colder weather is beginning to set in, many people are worried for those who have no where warm to stay.

"I can't be out here like this dealing with the elements," Freda -- who did not want to give her last name -- told PIX News as she held back tears. Freda said she is staying at a county homeless shelter.

"I work everyday and it's still not enough to pay my rent and my basic needs," she said.

Records indicate In Suffolk County, 367 people are homeless and in Nassau County alone, 550 people are homeless -- including 195 children. Those figures only include those who have sought help this year.

"I don't think anyone is exempt from this today. There are so many people that are literally a paycheck away from being homeless," said Connie Lassandro, director of Housing and Homeless services in Nassau County.

She says her agency has been scrambling to find places where people can stay.

"That's our goal is to get them out of the cold and then work on their needs moving forward whether it be short term or long term but it is critical that we get them off the street." said Lassandro.

If you know someone who needs help in Nassau Count you can call 1-866-WARM-BED. A taxi will be dispatched to pick up that person and take them to a warm place to stay the night.