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Emergency accommodation

Suitable accommodation may be available for rough sleepers during the severe weather

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Suitable accommodation may be available for rough sleepers during the severe weather

Severe Weather Emergency Provision is ACTIVE

Other information

Severe Weather Emergency Provision is ACTIVE

important

Suitable accommodation may be available for rough sleepers during the severe weather. Please check if you can access the service by calling 0300 123 22 24 during office hours and 0300 123 23 27 out of office hours. Spaces are limited, so please phone as early as possible.

If you’re concerned that someone is rough sleeping in Somerset during the severe weather, please visit the Street Link website to refer them, so they can get access to suitable accommodation.

As SWEP is currently active, outreach teams are contacting rough sleepers in Somerset to encourage them to take up offer of emergency accommodation and will offer additional support for anyone continuing to sleep rough during Severe Weather Emergency Provision.

About SWEP

During periods of severe weather, the Council seeks to provide emergency accommodation for rough sleepers to prevent harm or death due to the freezing or other severe weather conditions.

The SWEP response is used by many local authorities when there is a forecast of zero degrees or below zero. Severe weather also includes heat waves, high winds and flooding.

In Somerset we have a common-sense approach based on the severity of the weather conditions and may activate SWEP when the conditions are particularly harsh for less than three nights.

SWEP in Somerset has two aims:

  1. To ensure that no one dies or is caused serious harm on the streets due to severe weather
  2. To ensure that every effort is made to engage individuals with support

Last updated: November 20, 2024

Next review due: May 20, 2025

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