A Maritime homeless advocate is spearheading an effort that could save lives when the cold weather sets in again.

Pastor Jason Spencer has been working with the homeless for years.

While he works to ensure everyone has a home, he knows emergencies can come unexpectedly. When those situations arise in the winter, it can put the homeless at risk.

That's why Spencer wants to invest in a number of special winter coats that can be converted to sleeping bags.

“It's very, very simple to unfold and you just roll it up and it weighs about three pounds and anyone could do it,” says Spencer. “This is for people that have nowhere else to turn to. They've tried churches, they've tried shelters, they've tried a, b, c, d, and e, but it's the end resort.”

Spencer says the coat turned sleeping bags would be handed out to those who can't find a bed during the winter, providing some protection against the elements.

Tim Ross is the executive director of the New Brunswick Non-Profit Housing Association. He applauds Spencer's effort, but says it wouldn't be necessary if more support was given to end, what he calls, a chronic lack of affordable housing.

“One in 10 households in all of New Brunswick can't afford to sustain a decent, safe place to call home and that number jumps to one in five in Fredericton. So two in 10 and then, on top of that, there's 1,160 individuals or households who are in extreme core housing need, those individuals are at the greatest risk of homelessness,” says Ross.

Spencer agrees, saying he'll keep working on the greater issue of homelessness in Fredericton and beyond; however, he says there are candidates for these special coats, even before winter arrives.

“We already have four names of people…of people that's going to be living out in the winter months, that this sleeping bag just possibly may save their life,” says Spencer.

Spencer will continue his efforts to help combat homelessness. In the meantime, he'll push ahead with plans to acquire and distribute, what he says, are essential emergency supplies.

With files from CTV Atlantic's Andy Campbell