Exeter launches emergency support for rough sleepers

With temperatures in Exeter set to plummet below freezing over the coming nights, Exeter City Council has implemented its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to provide additional support for rough sleepers.

The protocol will be in place through Thursday night (January 2), Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, with conditions reassessed on Monday as forecasts predict a temperature rise.

The SWEP ensures extra emergency accommodation is available to individuals confirmed as sleeping rough. Outreach teams, working in partnership with local homelessness organisations, will identify those in need and offer them a safe place to stay during the cold snap.

"Every night someone spends sleeping rough carries significant risks, but freezing temperatures amplify those dangers," said a Council spokesperson. "Our goal during this severe weather is to minimise harm and ensure as many people as possible have a warm, safe space to sleep."

The initiative also encourages the public to play a role in assisting rough sleepers. People are urged to report individuals they believe to be sleeping rough via StreetLink, an organisation that helps connect vulnerable individuals to local services.

StreetLink also provides guidance for rough sleepers looking to access support.

Rough sleepers face a myriad of challenges, from sleeping outdoors in sub-zero conditions to finding shelter in cars, abandoned buildings, or other unsuitable locations. The Council emphasises that SWEP is a lifeline for those most at risk.

This move comes amidst national conversations on homelessness, with experts highlighting the urgent need for systemic changes. A recent BBC report underscored the complexity of the homelessness crisis in the UK, citing rising costs of living, lack of affordable housing, and gaps in welfare support as major contributors.

The Council have faced their own criticism for closing its homeless sleeping pods in Howell Road Car Park over the festive period, a decision that reduced the availability of essential emergency shelter throughout December 2024.

The pods, introduced during the pandemic, provided an innovative solution to house rough sleepers but were decommissioned due to funding challenges. Critics argue that their closure has left a gap in provision, especially during severe weather conditions like the current cold spell.

While emergency measures like SWEP address immediate risks, broader solutions are essential to tackle the root causes of rough sleeping.

Exeter City Council, alongside its partners, state that they remain committed to supporting vulnerable individuals, especially during extreme weather conditions.

For those able to assist, reporting rough sleepers to StreetLink can help ensure no one is left to face the freezing nights alone.