Emergency severe weather plan in place to protect homeless people as temperatures drop below freezing
The temperature in London is dropping to freezing for the first time this winter.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, activated the pan-London Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to protect homeless people as temperatures are forecast to fall below 0°C over the weekend.
This means, like other council’s, we have opened additional emergency accommodation to ensure people can be brought off the streets and ensure vulnerable people are protected.
In Hounslow, our Rough Sleeper Outreach Team are also out every day from the morning looking for anyone who is sleeping rough to help bring them inside to a warm, safe place and provide the support needed. No one will be asked to leave accommodation during this period. Plans are also put in place to end their rough sleeping, regardless of an increase in temperature.
Extreme winter conditions pose a threat to life to anyone who is sleeping rough. If you know someone or see anyone sleeping on the streets, there are a number of ways you can help them:
Send an alert
Visit Streetlink, press take action now button. You will have to register with your email address once you’re registered, fill in the details and send the alert.
Or you can call Street Link on 0300 500 0914
Find the nearest shelter
Find the nearest Emergency shelter.
Contact local services
You can also call the Council’s My Independence Team on:
020 8583 3942 - between 9am - 5pm, Monday to Friday
020 8583 2222 - outside office hours emergency number
If a person seen to be rough sleeping is under 18 or appears to be in immediate danger, please call the Police on 999.
