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Severe Weather Emergency Accommodation

During periods of severe cold weather, where temperatures of 0°or lower are predicted to last a minimum of 3 nights, additional emergency accommodation will be provided for people that are rough sleeping in the borough under our local Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

This year the Council, St Mungo’s, Faith Christian Group and Launchpad will be working with local accommodation providers to offer self-contained accommodation in line with COVID-19 guidance from central Government. You do not need to have recourse to public funds to access a severe weather placement.

When considering whether to activate SWEP we also take into account other severe weather conditions such as:

  • severe snowfall
  • wind-chill
  • widespread ice
  • feels like temperatures

Placements will last for the duration of the identified period of cold weather according to the predicted temperatures and support will be offered to explore your housing option.

Accessing a SWEP bed

If you have nowhere to go tonight, you can access a severe weather bed by contacting any one of the following:

If you are concerned about some sleeping rough tonight, you can:

Alert the Council and St Mungo's Reading Rough Sleeper Outreach Service via Streetlink.

For more info on SWEP, you can read our blog here

Please do not just turn up at the Willow House as you will be refused entry. Everyone must be referred and assessed to ensure your and everyone else’s safety.