Extra support for homeless as temperatures plummet

A severe weather shelter for rough sleepers has been open since Monday (February 26) in response to the below-freezing temperatures.
By The Newsroom
Published 1st Mar 2018, 13:48 BST
Updated 8th Jun 2018, 06:42 BST
Brighton homeless SUS-180129-100601001Brighton homeless SUS-180129-100601001
Brighton homeless SUS-180129-100601001

Brighton and Hove City Council said the shelter would be operating all week, and added it is open to all rough sleepers and that dogs are welcome.

At the last count in November 2017, there were 178 people sleeping rough on the streets of Brighton and Hove, giving the city the second largest homeless population after Westminster.

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The council has launched SWEP (Severe Weather Emergency Protocol) several times this winter when temperatures have dropped, and the aim is to prevent loss of life among the homeless.

Brighton and Hove’s severe weather shelter is run by Brighton Housing Trust (BHT). Street outreach service St Mungo’s and other local organisations inform rough sleepers about the shelters, and assist BHT in co-ordinating shelter places at various venues.

The SWEP is separate from the referral-only winter shelter at the Brighton Centre opened by the council in December.

If you are concerned about a rough sleeper, visit the Streetlink webiste to get in touch with a local outreach team, or call 0300 500 0914.

For advice from the council during the severe weather, click here.

Related topics:BrightonHove