Rough sleepers in London are receiving additional assistance following the activation of the capital’s severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP).
This activation allows for emergency accommodations to open, providing individuals with a warm bed for the night as temperatures have fallen below zero (32F).
Mayor of London, Sir Sadiq Khan, emphasized that the cold can be „dangerous and it can often be fatal“ for those without shelter.
City Hall is collaborating with councils throughout London to ensure that as many rough sleepers as possible are reached during these sub-zero conditions.
Emergency Measures in Response to Freezing Temperatures
The Met Office has reported that temperatures are expected to drop to -2C (28F) overnight from Saturday to Sunday, with wind chill making it feel as cold as -6C (21F).
Additionally, Warm Spaces have been reestablished in libraries, churches, and community venues across the city, providing hot drinks and a warm environment during the daytime.
Catherine de Abaitua, the libraries, venues, and events manager in Hackney, stated: „The need has increased. We are struggling to meet the demand of people who are needing a warm coat, warm hat, scarf and gloves.“
Call to Action for Local Support and Donations
Last winter, London boroughs provided shelter to over 2,000 individuals during SWEP activations, according to the Greater London Authority (GLA).
In the 2024 to 2025 count, outreach workers reported seeing more than 13,000 individuals rough sleeping—the highest figure ever recorded on London’s CHAIN database.
The mayor encouraged citizens to connect anyone experiencing homelessness with local support through StreetLink and urged donations to TAP London, a volunteer-led non-profit organization assisting those facing homelessness, operated in collaboration with the GLA.
In December, City Hall introduced a Floating Hub service in up to 17 hotspots across London, aiming to support longer-term rough sleepers.
Bildquelle: Foto von Ian Taylor auf Unsplash
