Leading youth homelessness charity Centrepoint has called on local councils to initiate Severe Weather Emergency Protocols (SWEP) following the Met Office’s first ever extreme heat warning.
SWEP is more commonly used in the winter months when the temperature reaches 0°C or below. The protocol is designed to provide short-term, temporary shelter that is provided to anyone sleeping rough, regardless of their local connections or recourse to public funds.
At least three local authorites – Trafford, Harringey and West Berkshire – announced additional support for rough sleepers due to the heat prior to today’s warning.
The number of people rough sleeping has increased significantly during the pandemic. In London, the only English city with accurate rough sleeping data, The number of people seen sleeping rough for the first time increased by 7% to 7,531 compared to 2019/20. The number of under 25s seen sleeping rough increased by almost a third (31%) compared to the previous year (1,093 vs 835) – making up 10% of the total number of the capital’s rough sleepers.
Paul Noblet, Centrepoint’s Head of Public Affairs, said: “These sweltering temperatures will be a real challenge for anyone with nowhere to shelter so there’s no doubt that people’s lives may be at risk unless action is taken.
“Councils should have the right processes in place to protect vulnerable rough sleepers via SWEP. However, a year and half into the pandemic we know local authority resources are stretched to breaking point.
“It could well lead to tragedy if the government allows a lack of funding to delay SWEP and fails to help councils get people off the streets and indoors where water and medical treatment is more readily available.”
How to help homeless people in hot weather
Centrepoint also says members of the public can provide assistance to people they think may be rough sleeping if they are able. It suggests: giving away umbrellas, hats and sunscreen; freezing bottles of water and water-rich food such as fruit.
If you’re based in England or Wales, rough sleepers can be referred to StreetLink. Just call 0300 500 9014, or download the Streetlink app. They will help you to connect a person sleeping rough with the local services that can support them.
For vulnerable young people sleeping rough, the Centrepoint Helpline team can provide guidance and advice. They can be contacted on 0808 800 0661, Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm.
