Extra support for people sleeping rough this winter
Extra accommodation and support is available for people sleeping rough in Brighton & Hove this winter, following a successful bid for additional government funding.
The accommodation is offering support to up to 25 people who would otherwise be sleeping rough.
The service was up and running within a week of the confirmation of the funding, and people have already moved in. Referrals to the accommodation are made through the city’s street outreach service, managed by CGL.
The accommodation is open day and night throughout the winter, whatever the weather. It gives us a better opportunity to work with residents to help them move off the streets into longer term sustainable accommodation.
Severe weather shelter
Our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) opens when the temperature is predicted to feel like zero degrees Celsius, or there’s an amber weather warning. This is one of the lowest triggers for opening SWEP services in the country.
SWEP provides shelter for all rough sleepers in the city and venues are made available to meet demand. All accommodation is again self-contained.
When SWEP is triggered, CGL’s street outreach service go out looking for people we know to be rough sleeping to find them warm accommodation.
The First Base Day Centre, who provide services for people who are rough sleeping, will also refer people to SWEP when it is triggered.
Anyone not accommodated during the day is referred into our SWEP venue by the street outreach service.
No Second Night Out
The city’s ‘No Second Night Out’ (NSNO) accommodation is also planning to re-open this week in new premises.
NSNO is managed by the homelessness charity St Mungo’s and will provide a safe place for up to 45 rough sleepers.
People staying at the hub have their needs assessed to develop plans to move them away from the streets.
The aim is to act swiftly as a short-term support when people start rough sleeping and to find out how best to help.
Off-street support for rough sleepers
We also have the off-street offer providing short-stay emergency accommodation in a safe place for up to 30 entrenched rough sleepers.
Similar to the NSNO service, people staying in the accommodation will have their needs assessed and personalised support to help them move permanently from the streets.
Concerned about someone sleeping rough?
If you’re concerned about anyone sleeping rough in the city, including people staying in tents, please let us know by reporting through the Streetlink website or by calling 0300 500 0914.
Our street outreach team will then contact them to try to offer them appropriate support and housing assistance.
It’s important that anyone sleeping rough is offered help as soon as possible and that the assistance offered meets their needs, so accommodation for people on the streets is provided through referrals from organisations who understand what’s available and what support is needed.
Reporting where people are through Streetlink is the best way of making sure that people get the support they need. This route has helps us support people still sleeping on the streets into emergency accommodation.
Preventing homelessness
If you are threatened with homelessness, please contact us to get advice as soon as possible. We can support you with any problems making it difficult to stay in your home.
The homeless prevention and housing options support we provide includes action to prevent applicants from becoming homeless, help to keep or secure accommodation and a personalised housing plan.
Safe and secure accommodation
Councillor David Gibson, Co-Chair of the Housing Committee, said: “It’s great news that we’re able to offer warm and safe accommodation to help more people stay off the streets through this winter.
“It’s fantastic that we were able to set up the accommodation and move people in so quickly – thanks to everyone who worked hard to make that happen.
“The accommodation gives us a better opportunity to work closely with people and offer them support to end their homelessness.
“The ‘No Second Night Out’ offer is also a vital part of service helping people move off the streets. It’s short-term support set-up to offer urgent accommodation quickly for people who’ve had the misfortune to end up sleeping rough.
“Our priority continues to be to help everyone sleeping on the streets into safe, secure accommodation.
“If you are worried about anyone rough sleeping, please let us know via Streetlink so we can provide them with the support they need.”
Make Change Count
If you’d like to support the charities and organisations across Brighton & Hove working with people to help them find a permanent solution to their homelessness, please donate to Make Change Count.
The Make Change Count campaign links local organisations experienced in supporting rough sleepers and preventing homelessness.
These organisations, like many in the city, are currently working during the Covid crisis to provide connections into services and help people meet their basic needs.
The latest campaign has raised more than £1,000 in its first few weeks. Many thanks to everyone who’s donated.
Find out more
- How we help rough sleepers in the city
- How to help people living on the street
- Get help if you're at risk of becoming homeless
