Emergency shelter extended for rough sleepers

Emergency measures to bring rough sleepers inside have been extended in Exeter as freezing temperatures continue to grip the city.

Exeter City Council announced today that its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been extended until Monday January 13, following activation on 2 January due to the plummeting temperatures. The protocol provides extra emergency accommodation for rough sleepers during periods of extreme cold. A review of the protocol will take place next week.

Cllr Marina Asvachin, Lead Councillor for Housing, Homelessness Prevention, and Customer Services, said: “Each and every night that someone sleeps rough on the streets, they are seriously at risk. With temperatures dipping below freezing, that risk increases. For this reason, we will be providing additional emergency bed spaces during the cold spell to help reduce the chance of harm.”

The public is being reminded that if they see someone they believe to be sleeping rough, they can report it via Streetlink. Streetlink also offers valuable resources for those sleeping rough, including information on local support services and assistance in finding safer places to stay. This includes individuals who may be sleeping in places not designed for habitation, such as cars, vans, doorways, or abandoned buildings.

Under the SWEP, outreach teams, in partnership with local homelessness organisations, will make contact with those confirmed to be sleeping rough in Exeter and offer them the opportunity to come indoors, providing spaces where available.

Cllr Asvachin added: “I would like to thank everyone at the City Council, Julian House, and our partner organisations for making these additional bed spaces available and encouraging people to move inside during this extreme cold weather.”

The Council continues to work with local partners to ensure that people in need have a safe place to stay during the harsh winter months.