Severe Weather Emergency Provision Activated In Kirklees As Temperatures Drop
Changes have been made to the Severe Weather Emergency Provision to ensure we are Covid19 safe.
Due to the cold weather, our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) has been activated, which means we are currently offering rough sleepers in Kirklees a warm bed for the night.
SWEP aims to prevent deaths on the streets in severe weather, this round has been active from today.
Changes to our Service and Emergency Provision due to Covid-19.
The usual procedure of using shared sleeping facilities at the Clare House Hostel will not be used this year. The guidance from MHCLG (Ministry of Housing) have advised that any shared sleeping facilities must be avoided.
Instead, Bed and Breakfast accommodation will be used in an emergency whereby anybody needing accommodation when SWEP is triggered will be offered a room with its own sleeping and washing facilities.
If you know or meet anyone who will be sleeping rough during this time please contact us on the numbers below, and spread the word so that other people are aware too:
Out of hours/weekend – Emergency Duty Service 01484 414933
OR
Weekdays between 9 and 5 pm – Housing Solutions Service – 01484 221350
Useful to know…
– SWEP has the potential to change a life – every person who is given a bed through SWEP is visited by a housing officer the next morning, to talk them through their options and discuss how they can get longer term help.
– Some people just are not ready – if people are not ready to accept the help through SWEP our partners at the mission and the welcome centre both offer somewhere they can go and get warm and have a chat.
– We are committed to helping people to permanently get off the streets – our colleagues in housing solutions work all year to support people at risk of becoming homeless or who are already rough sleeping. We provide support and emergency accommodation for eligible people who finds themselves homeless.
– You can help the homeless at any time – if you see a homeless person or someone who looks to be sleeping rough you can let the relevant people know where they are, and when you saw them through Street Link. The app alerts the council’s housing solutions team and their partner organisation who can go and check what, if any, help the person needs.