The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has activated the pan-London Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) which directs councils across London, alongside homeless charities, to open up additional emergency accommodation for people who are sleeping rough during freezing conditions which could pose a threat to life.
All boroughs in London and the City of London Corporation are committed to the Mayor’s ‘In for Good’ principle, which means no one will be asked to leave accommodation until a support plan is in place to end their rough sleeping, regardless of an increase in temperature.
Rough sleeping has been rising in London and across the country. Latest figures collated by City Hall for 2023/23 show the total number of people sleeping rough in London has continued to rise, with a 20 per cent increase in the number of new rough sleepers compared to the same period last year.
If you are concerned about a rough sleeper, or sleeping rough yourself, you can report this online using the Streetlink(external link) website. You, or the individual you are concerned about, may also be able to use: Providence Row(external link) Day Centre, 82 Wentworth Street, London E1 7SA. If you see someone sleeping rough and you think they are suffering the effects of exposure to cold or extreme hot weather, please contact emergency services on 999.
If you need any further help or advice, you can email the City Corporation’s Homelessness Prevention and Rough Sleeping Service.
You may also be interested to read the Q1 2024 data dashboard relating to the progress delivered by homelessness and rough sleeping teams at the City of London Corporation below.