Emergency accommodation provided for homeless in London
Emergency measures brought in as temperatures fall
For the first time in 2025 London councils have activated an emergency accommodation protocol for people sleeping rough in freezing conditions.
The emergency measures, which will see extra beds made available, have been active for three nights so far this winter.
The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan said: “With temperatures dropping below zero across London, I have activated my Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) in partnership with London Councils for the first time in 2025 to ensure anyone seen sleeping rough in freezing conditions is offered emergency accommodation and support to stay off the streets for good. Londoners can ensure anyone they see sleeping rough gets the help they need by contacting StreetLink.
“I am committed to ending rough sleeping by 2030, and providing support to get people off the streets. Helping them to start rebuilding their lives is at the centre of our plan, as we work together to build a safer, fairer London for everyone.”
Cllr Grace Williams, London Councils’ Executive Member for Housing & Regeneration, said: “Rough sleeping is particularly dangerous during periods of severe weather.
“Boroughs are working hard to prepare emergency accommodation and to bring people off the streets. Alongside the Mayor and our voluntary sector partners, we will do all we can to keep them safe and supported.”
Matt Downie, Chief Executive of Crisis, said: “Access to emergency accommodation in severe weather saves lives. Rough sleeping is extremely dangerous all year round – and a night spent in freezing temperatures can be deadly.
“This Christmas we are hugely grateful for the support of the Greater London Authority and UK government to extend our hotel accommodation into January for people forced to sleep rough. During their stay, guests will continue to receive tailored support from a caseworker to help them out of homelessness for good.
“Over the next few months, we look forward to working with mayors and government ministers to build a long-term plan to end homelessness. With rough sleeping and homelessness at record levels, we must renew efforts to build the social homes we need and invest enough in support and prevention services to tackle this crisis.”
Fresh weather warnings have been issued for ice ahead of a blast of snow over the weekend.
A yellow warning is in place from noon on Saturday until 9am on Monday and covers all regions of England other than the South West, the majority of Wales and parts of southern Scotland.
Met Office meteorologist Tom Morgan said: "At the moment we've issued a very large snow warning for Saturday until Monday but it doesn't mean that everywhere within that warning could see snow, it's just a heads-up there could be some impacts."
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