Thanet council has activated its Severe Weather Emergency protocol (SWEP), cabinet member for housing Cllr Stuart Piper has confirmed.
Although no notice has appeared on the council’s website or social media accounts, notification was given to support workers via text yesterday (December 27). It is the second time this month SWEP has taken place.
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 will 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 577000 for emergency accommodation support.
Thanet Winter Shelter is also currently in operation.
Cllr Rev Piper says the action will be in place until Saturday, when it will then be reviewed.
Emergency accommodation should be available all year round!
Yes it should. The 5th (maybe 6th) richest country on earth lets its citizens sleep in shop doorways. Its not good enough.
Housing should be built for living in not as an investment. A home is a basic human right not a commodity
I don’t understand as to why we have to wait for a Temperature drop.Surely should be an on-going Emergency situation.It’s a disgrace!!