Thanet council activates Severe Weather Emergency Protocol for those sleeping rough as temperature plunges

Rough sleeping on the isle Photo John Horton

Thanet council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency protocol (SWEP) due to overnight temperatures of below zero forecast for next three nights.

The action is triggered when the night time temperature is predicted to be zero degrees Celsius or below for three consecutive nights.

When the protocol is triggered, the council provide emergency accommodation for any person sleeping rough in the district so that it can prevent unnecessary deaths during the cold snap.

SWEP should be implemented on the first night of the severe weather forecast and means the authority will work in partnership with the voluntary sector, using homelessness grants and council funds to ensure  rough sleepers are provided with shelter.

Call 01843 577277  for emergency accommodation support or click here for more details

4 Comments

  1. I have a lot of sympathy for the homeless, but is there any need to graffiti the shelter where they choose to sleep?

    • Agreed.

      It hardly garners support or sympathy for their plight does it ?

      It is the same mentality as “travellers” who leave all their rubbish and faeces in the public areas they use as campsites – and then expect the local authority to provide them with an official site.

      Why would the local authority or a private landlord want to provide accommodation to a rough sleeper who carries out criminal damage to a public facility ?

  2. Most likely the work of the more politically active in the area, or at least the paint was supplied by others.

    The reason landlords are reluctant to house those that find themselves on the streets is that they often have multiple issues , physical and mental health, substance abuse, pets , difficulties engaging with the system etc.
    Add on eligibility for benefits and / or an ability and willingness to keep up with the application and ongoing process. Lack of references, support from social services and nhs.
    It was normal for those in this position to occupy HMO’s , however changes to the benefit system and the crackdown on landlords ( both deserved and not) has meant that many HMO’s have closed.
    Take a look at the property that’s advertised for sale next to Sundowners, in a dreadful state yet was at one time a roof over the heads of around 8 people.
    Social providers don’t want these people and the council either refuses to help for whatever reason or those involved have not applied or are ineligible.
    A massively complex and expensive situation which will never be dealt with in its entirety.

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