1.
Introduction
Local authorities do all they can to prevent deaths on the streets caused by severe weather. There is no strict definition of what counts as ‘severe weather’.
Local authorities identify any weather that could increase the risk of serious harm to people sleeping rough and put measures in place to minimise this, including extreme cold, wind and rain.
SWEP provision is normally triggered in Sussex when the temperature has been forecast by the Met Office at zero degrees or below for three days. SWEP may also be triggered by forecasts of flooding or very high winds. There may be small variations in the way that different Sussex authorities apply SWEP. Please see the
Homeless Link website for more guidance on SWEP and extended winter provision Homeless Link Severe Weather Guidance
Members of the public can alert local services to rough sleepers in Sussex on the StreetLink website www.streetlink.org.uk
or by calling 0300 500 0914
St Mungo’s Broadway (SMB) provide a street outreach service across Sussex and are normally the first point of contact for people sleeping rough. SMB are automatically notified of StreetLink reports or you can contact SMB direct:
St Mungo’s Broadway Brighton & Hove
Email
Freephone
Referrals
Mobile brightonsos@mungosbroadway.org.uk
0808.1680414
07710.095131
Sarah.Mitchell@mungosbroadway.org.uk
St Mungo’s Broadway East and West Sussex
Email
Referrals
Mobile teamsussexoutreachservice@mungosbroadway.org.uk
Bex.Welsh@mungosbroadway.org.uk
07834.514923
1

3.
Adur District & Worthing Borough Councils
Adur and Worthing make use of existing emergency accommodation provision during severe weather to assist those people who are rough sleeping on a case by case basis. Worthing Winter Night Shelter is operating out of local churches on different nights from November 16 th 2015 to March 15 th 2016.
Contact Housing Services on housing-services@adur-worthing.gov.uk
or telephone 01903 221063 for further information.
Arun District Council
On SWEP nights any rough sleepers in Arun will be assisted. Temporary accommodation in Bognor Regis will include a night shelter managed by
Stonepillow.
For further information contact Housing Options on 01903 737552 email
Housing.options@arun.gov.uk
or Stonepillow on 01243 698547.
Brighton & Hove City Council (BHCC)
Brighton & Hove are operating four night shelters for SWEP this year, including additional premises on standby if required. There is a church night shelter for 15 men operating in the city from mid November 2015 to March 2016.
Contact details for the public:
BHCC Housing Options telephone 01273.294400
Chichester District Council
Chichester use their own temporary accommodation and for SWEP use two separate unfurnished flats. Chichester do not have any hotel or B&B accommodation in the district but do occasionally use other temporary accommodation arrangements if required.
Contact the CDC Careline for services available 24/7 on 01243.788688.
Crawley Borough Council
During SWEP periods Crawley may accommodate rough sleepers in B&B or in winter shelters in one of five local church halls, working in partnership with the local direct access hostel, Crawley Open House.
The public can contact Crawley in person at the Housing Help Point in the Town
Hall from 10.00 am to 3.00 pm daily, by telephone on 01293 438607 or by email: housing.options@crawley.gov.uk
2

Eastbourne Borough Council
Eastbourne operates SWEP but has no hostels and does not block book rooms, therefore operating on a case by case basis. Placements may be made but may not always be in Eastbourne and people with a local connection may also be assisted financially to find accommodation in the private rented sector. For further details call 01323.415302
Eastbourne Winter Night Shelter (WNS) is provided by Eastbourne churches, for rough sleepers between December 2015 and February 2016. To access the shelter, guests attend a short interview with the WNS referral team at Christ
Church, Seaside, Eastbourne BN22 7NN. Interview times can be arranged by referring agencies or directly by guests by calling 07932.407730.
Hastings Borough Council
Hastings Borough Council operate a SWEP in accordance with national guidance, which means that people who are street homeless will be accommodated in temporary accommodation in severe weather, for example, extreme cold, wind and rain. This temporary accommodation could be within Hastings, but in busy periods could also be outside of the borough.
Contact the Hastings Borough Council Housing Options team for further details by email at housingadvice@hastings.gov.uk
or telephone on 01424 451100
Horsham District Council
During SWEP periods Horsham will accommodate in the Horsham Churches
Together Night Shelter. If a Night Shelter is not suitable or available Horsham may accommodate rough sleepers in B&B accommodation. This is usually in surrounding districts and boroughs. Whilst staying at the Night Shelter support will be provided to identify longer term housing options for residents.
Call 01403 215100 for further details
Lewes District Council
Lewes may accommodate rough sleepers in guest houses or B&B outside of
Lewes district during SWEP periods dependant on demand.
Call 01273.484006/7 or email housingneeds@lewes.gov.uk
for further information.
Mid Sussex District Council
Mid Sussex may accommodate rough sleepers in guest houses or B&B outside of
Mid Sussex district during SWEP periods.
Call 01444 477574 or email HousingAdvice@midsussex.gov.uk
for further information.
3

Rother District Council
Rother operates SWEP but has no Hostels and does not block book rooms and therefore operates on a case by case basis. Placements may be made wherever but may not always be in Rother. People with a local connection with Rother may be placed whilst the weather is at its’ coldest and may be assisted financially to find accommodation in the private rented sector.
For further details email housing@rother.gov.uk
or call 01424 787000
Wealden District Council
Wealden will consider any street homeless case and the weather conditions at the time before deciding if they will accommodate with existing B&B providers. providers.
Contact the Wealden Housing Options team for further details by email to housingoptions@wealden.gov.uk
or telephone 01323 443380.
Further Information
John Routledge
SHORE Project Co-ordinator
Telephone 01323.415393
Mobile 07903.842782 john.routledge@eastbourne.gov.uk
shorehomeless@wordpress.com
4
Sussex Homeless Outreach Reconnection & Engagement
November 2015
END