Council launches emergency protocol as Newcastle braces for severe cold snap

Newcastle City Council have launched an emergency protocol for the homeless, due to upcoming severe weather conditions.

The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been created to offer those who will be sleeping rough a safe place to stay. This comes after a very cold weather forecast was announced for the North East, with sleet and snow also expected in the upcoming weeks.

On the Newcastle City Council website, the council explains the protocol in greater detail. They wrote: “We are committed to ending rough sleeping in the city and ensuring that there is a proactive approach to supporting those who sleep rough off the street.”

SWEP is an extension of a year-round response to homlessness in Newcastle. It is activated once temperatures are forecast to be of extreme conditions.

Newcastle City Council announced via their Facebook page today, December 7 that they have activated SWEP.

Newcastle City Council also fund a daily outreach service, and offer over 700 supported rooms to those at risk of homelessness. The council have urged those facing homelessness to contact the Housing Advice Centre immediately.

Newcastle City Council’s Housing Advice Centre will give free confidential advice in order to prevent or relieve homlessness. The Housing Advice Centre can be contacted by phone on 0800 1707 008 or by email at [email protected], during opening hours. Out of hours, there is the Emergency Homeless Service, which can be contacted by phone on the above number, then pressing option 2.

If you are concerned about a person sleeping rough, you can contact Newcastle City Council’s rough sleeping outreach team by email at [email protected].