Vancouver will be getting new temporary shelters this winter.

City council approved $500,000 to help fund up to four shelters, providing housing for a maximum of 160 people. The province is also chipping in $1.2 million.

No sites have been chosen yet, Coun. Kerry Jang said.

"Currently, we're looking at a number of places in four different neighbourhoods where there is a large homeless population. We haven't decided on any yet," he said.

The need for shelter space is highest in downtown Vancouver, he said, as well Mount Pleasant, Kitsilano and the Commercial Drive neighbourhood.

The city is also looking at re-opening controversial shelters on Granville and Howe streets in downtown Vancouver. Shelters located there were closed earlier this year after area residents complained of fights, drug use, harassment and public urination.

But Jang said things will be different this time outside the homeless shelters.

"Trouble started around the spring and summer time when people started to line up outside and started to hang around. That's why we're making it very clear that these are emergency winter shelters only this year, and they will close on April 30 and there's no extensions," he said.

There will be a phone number that neighbours can call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, if there are problems. Also, Jang said, there will be a team made up of police representatives and housing and social planning staff to deal with any problems that arise.

"Finally, we're making sure we're having a public process with the neighbourhood, so they have a way of actually having a number they can call 24-7. We'll have a staff team ready. You name it, we'll be there and, of course, open houses in January so people can see what happens inside a shelter and who they are."