With plunging temperatures forecast for the weekend, Oxford City Council has confirmed how it will offer emergency beds to people experiencing rough sleeping this winter.
The council activates its severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) during freezing weather. SWEP is emergency accommodation for anyone experiencing rough sleeping – including people who have no right to claim benefits or housing in the UK or who have refused offers of accommodation and support.
The council will activate SWEP on every night the Met Office forecasts freezing overnight temperatures. It will also use its discretion to open emergency beds in other severe weather conditions.
These can include snow on the ground, sub-zero ‘feels like’ temperatures or a warmer night in the middle of a prolonged freezing spell.
Emergency beds are available this weekend
The Met Office is forecasting freezing temperatures on Friday and Saturday night. The council is using its discretion to make SWEP beds available all weekend so outreach workers can engage with people on Monday morning.
The council will review the forecast on Monday morning (27 November) and decide whether to extend or close SWEP beds.
SWEP provision
Working with a range of partners, the council has secured a minimum of 36 bed spaces in Oxford.
Contingency plans are in place to provide more beds if the need arises.
Most beds will be in shared spaces with overnight staffing to support people who come inside.
Accessing SWEP
The St Mungo’s outreach and assessment team engages intensively with people experiencing rough sleeping. St Mungo’s will allocate SWEP beds to people during the day and let them know where and when they need to go.
People who have not been allocated a SWEP bed in advance will be able to present at O'Hanlon House between 11 pm and midnight.
One of the SWEP venues is suitable for people with dogs and St Mungo’s can also arrange free kennels if necessary. Kennels must be arranged in advance and are not available on the night.
Find out more about SWEP arrangements on the council website.
Comment
“Nobody should have to sleep rough in Oxford and SWEP can offer a vital lifeline for people at risk during freezing winter weather. SWEP also gives us another chance to offer them the support they might need to leave the streets behind for good.
“SWEP relies on people in Oxford’s homelessness services stepping up and taking on extra shifts on top of their day jobs, and I’m grateful for everyone helping us to deliver this vital service.
“St Mungo’s works intensively with people experiencing rough sleeping and will allocate SWEP rooms during the day, telling people how to access the service and where and when to go. If you are concerned about someone experiencing rough sleeping, you can contact St Mungo’s on 07590 862049 or by emailing Outreach.Oxford@mungos.org.”
Councillor Linda Smith, Cabinet Member for Housing
How to report concern about someone experiencing rough sleeping.
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