‘Make Change Count’ initiative has raised £1,300 this year, while triggers for city council’s SWEP response remain among the lowest in the country
With the cold weather suddenly upon us, Brighton & Hove City Council has outlined the measures it is taking this winter to provide warmth and shelter to people sleeping rough.
Photo by Darren Coleshill / Unsplash
The city’s Make Change Count campaign supports the charities and organisations who have the expertise to help people find permanent solutions to homelessness. So far, this year’s campaign has raised more than £1,300 of a £20,000 target. You can make a donation.
As with other local authorities, the city has a severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) for responding to homelessness. In Brighton & Hove, the SWEP is triggered by two things: either the temperature is predicted to feel like 0°C, or there’s an amber weather warning. These are among the lowest thresholds for offering SWEP accommodation in the country.
SWEP is now in force across the city and will run until the end of March 2026.
When the protocol is triggered, SWEP provides shelter for everyone sleeping rough in the city. The council-funded Change Grow Live’s street outreach service works in partnership with the council and other local services to refer people known to be sleeping rough and those who might be sleeping rough for the first time.
These people are invited to come into safe, warm accommodation. Venues are made available to meet demand. Most provision is either single or double rooms, but additional congregate space can also be used if needed.
Food is provided, assessments are made and support is given to those who may be new to rough sleeping.
In addition to SWEP, the city operates several ‘Off-Street Offer’ projects, providing short-stay emergency accommodation in a safe, staffed environment for up to 30 people who have been sleeping rough long-term. Support is available 24/7, and the service uses a trauma-informed approach to help people begin their recovery from rough sleeping.
Another two projects provide some 28 further places, with a priority given to couples and women who have experienced rough sleeping. Again, personalised assessments and support are included in the service.
What’s more, the council’s core and grant-funded supported accommodation pathways for single adults and young people provide nearly 700 beds across the city. These pathways aim to support individuals move into stable, longer-term housing and stability
You can let the service know about anyone sleeping rough in Brighton & Hove, including people staying in tents, via the Streetlink website. The council also offers help if you are worried about losing your home or homelessness.
Cllr Paul Nann, Lead Member for Homelessness at Brighton & Hove City Council, says: ‘The city’s SWEP accommodation is a vital service keeping people safe and warm through the winter. We believe it is everyone’s right to have somewhere decent to live, and we want to help everyone sleeping on the streets into safe, secure accommodation. It’s why our triggers for opening the severe weather accommodation is among the lowest in the country.
‘If you are worried about anyone sleeping rough this winter, please do let us know by contacting Streetlink. This makes sure we can provide people with the immediate support they need and link them up with services helping move them from the streets.’
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