"Rough sleepers in London are getting extra help after the capital's severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) was activated. It means that emergency accommodation opens up to give people a bed for the night indoors in the warm after temperatures dropped below zero (32F). The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said the cold could be "dangerous and it can often be fatal" for people sleeping on the streets."
"City Hall said it was working with councils across London to reach as many of the capital's rough sleepers as possible during sub-zero conditions. The Met Office has said temperatures are to drop to -2C (28F) overnight from Saturday to Sunday, but will feel like -6C (21F). Warm Spaces have also been set up again across the capital in libraries, churches and community spaces for people to get a hot drink and stay in the warmth during the day time."
""The need has increased. "We are struggling to meet the demand of people who are needing a warm coat, warm hat, scarf and gloves." Last winter London boroughs housed more than 2,000 people during SWEP activations, according to the Greater London Authority (GLA). More than 13,000 people were seen rough sleeping by outreach workers in the 2024 to 2025 count - the highest number ever recorded on London's CHAIN database."
London activated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to open emergency accommodation and give rough sleepers indoor beds during sub-zero nights. City Hall is coordinating with borough councils and outreach teams to reach as many rough sleepers as possible during the cold spell. Forecasts predict overnight lows around -2C, feeling like -6C, prompting libraries, churches and community venues to reopen Warm Spaces for daytime respite and hot drinks. Demand for warm clothing has increased and services report difficulty meeting requests for coats, hats, scarves and gloves. Outreach counts recorded over 13,000 people rough sleeping in 2024–25 and boroughs housed more than 2,000 people during last winter's SWEP activations. The public is urged to connect rough sleepers to support via StreetLink and to donate to volunteer groups such as TAP London.
Read at www.bbc.com
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