Reading's rough sleepers helped as the temperature drops
The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol has been activated
Reading Borough Council has activated its Severe Weather Protocol to provide emergency accommodation to people who are rough sleeping.
Triggered by forecast temperatures of 0 degrees or below for at least three consecutive nights, the Council implements the initiative alongside St Mungo’s, one of the Council’s charity partners.
It'll be active until Monday - then forecasts and temperatures will continue to be monitored daily throughout the winter.
Anyone referred to the Council’s Homelessness Prevention Team or St Mungo’s under SWEP will be assessed, and, if verified as rough sleeping or at high risk of rough sleeping, will be provided with a short-term emergency bed space.
Matt Yeo, Lead Councillor for Housing, said:
“Reading is proud of its comprehensive support for the most vulnerable in our society. We are acutely aware that those rough sleeping on our streets face more threat when the weather turns cold, as it has done this week, and I’m pleased to see SWEP is now in place to protect them. Please do report anyone you see rough sleeping via StreetLink so we can ensure they are offered help”.
SWEP is an integral part of a programme of assistance in place in Reading to protect the most vulnerable in the borough all year round.
The Council’s wide range of commissioned services to accommodate and support people who find themselves homeless are delivered by The Salvation Army, YMCA Reading and Launchpad Reading.
A total of 249 bed spaces, in addition to those available through the SWEP response, are offered across the Council’s Homelessness Support Services to help single people and couples who are found rough sleeping, or at risk of rough sleeping.
Partnerships are also in place with the faith, voluntary and community sector who provide additional support often through provision of food and clothing, or warm spaces.
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