He hasn't spoken about the controversial HEAT shelters for some time, but Vancouver mayor Gregor Robertson did find time to visit them on the weekend.

"I think the mayor actually popped into our neighbourhood last weekend to see for himself," says Lynn Sheffield with Concerned Citizens of False Creek North. "Of course, you the media weren't alerted because he couldn't risk what the media might then run into.  That's how unpredictable the neighbourhood is," says Sheffield, speaking on the Christy Clark Show on CKNW.

Robertson's staff confirm he did visit the shelters under the Granville Street Bridge late Saturday night, chatting with shelter users and concerned people living in the area.

Sheffield and other residents have been complaining of drug use, fighting and public sex near the shelters.

She says she and others spotted Robertson as he was leaving area, "We confronted him right then on the street.  This is at midnight on Saturday night, the day after the stabbing."

"And the point is, Lynn, he wasn't there to talk to you," asked Christy Clark.

"Oh my gosh, no," says Sheffield."  He snuck in and he snuck right out again.  And he has never spoken to this community once."

Staff say Robertson is not available Tuesday to comment on the visit, but do say he's been working feverishly behind the scenes to try to secure provincial funding for the shelters and an interim housing strategy.

The city has also pledged to conduct more neighbourhood cleanups and police patrols around the shelters.

Housing ministry staff say minister Rich Coleman will make a decision on HEAT funding in the next few weeks, even though provincial funding for the shelters runs out at the end of June.