Rough sleepers offered shelter as temperatures drop

"As temperatures drop to freezing, the risks for people sleeping rough become increasingly severe. Prolonged exposure to cold and wet conditions can lead to serious health problems such as hypothermia, frostbite, and respiratory illness, and can also worsen existing medical conditions. In some cases, this can be fatal. Our teams are working night and day to bring people indoors to safe, warm accommodation and connect them with the essential support they need."

"The plan, which is actioned when temperatures fall to 0C (32F), sees boroughs across the capital, alongside homelessness charities, open additional emergency accommodation for people sleeping rough in conditions that could pose a threat to life. More than 13,000 people were seen rough sleeping by outreach workers in London in the 2024 to 2025 count - the highest number ever recorded on London's CHAIN database."

SWEP activates when temperatures fall to 0C (32F), prompting boroughs and homelessness charities across London to open additional emergency accommodation for people sleeping rough in life-threatening conditions. Outreach workers recorded more than 13,000 people rough sleeping in 2024–25, the highest figure on London's CHAIN database, and over 2,000 people were housed across the capital last winter. Prolonged exposure to freezing and wet weather increases risks of hypothermia, frostbite, respiratory illness and worsening of existing medical conditions, with fatal outcomes possible. Teams are working continuously to bring people indoors, provide warm accommodation and connect individuals with essential support services.

Read at www.bbc.com