Assemblyman Anthony Brindisi is calling on the New York National Guard to open upstate armories to help meet a new state mandate on housing the homeless during cold weather.

He was joined by officials from the Rescue Mission of Utica outside the National Guard Armory in Utica with the temperature at 10 degrees.

Brindisi says most homeless shelters are at full capacity this time of year and open the armories would be a big help.  He says the National Guard has a long history of helping in public emergencies.

Jim Haid, Executive Director of the Rescue Mission of Utica, says they're currently at 125 percent capacity and have had to bring in extra cots to provide emergency shelter to those who are on the street.

Governor Cuomo has issued an Emergency Declaration requiring local governments to find shelter for the homeless whenever temperatures are at or below 32 degrees

More From WIBX 950