The Mayor of London, , has triggered a severe weather
emergency response in the capital to support rough sleepers
struggling to stay safe in soaring temperatures.
The pan-London Severe Weather Emergency Protocols (SWEP) is
typically activated when temperatures plummet to freezing in the
winter, to prompt councils – alongside homelessness charities -
to provide emergency accommodation and support for vulnerable
people sleeping rough.
With temperatures set to soar to 34 degrees this week and with a
Level Three Heat Alert being issued by the Met Office, the Mayor
is ensuring there is vital support in place for rough sleepers
across the capital. People sleeping rough are especially
vulnerable to the heat, being more likely to suffer from mental
health issues, chronic health conditions and substance abuse
problems.
City Hall has written to all boroughs and rough sleeping services
and asked that they:
- Increase the frequency and alter the times of outreach shifts
to boost daytime provision
- Support local borough outreach teams to conduct welfare
checks on known vulnerable people and set out how to identify the
signs of heat stress
- Ensure that all outreach teams, including the Mayor’s Rapid
Response Team who respond to the StreetLink referrals in 25
boroughs, can provide sunscreen and water to rough sleepers
- Provide advice and information (to both clients and services)
about how to stay cool and safe
- Ensure all outreach teams and clients are aware of the
cool
spaces and water fountains nearest to them
Members of the public concerned for anyone rough sleeping should
contact StreetLink.
Sadiq has made tackling rough sleeping a personal priority for
his Mayoralty and since 2016, more than 12,000 rough sleepers
have been helped off the streets by City Hall commissioned
services. Meanwhile, the number of people seen sleeping rough by
outreach workers in London during 2021/22 fell 24 per cent
compared to 2020/21.
At £36.6m, the Mayor’s rough sleeping budget in 2021/22 is more
than quadruple the £8.45 million a year it was when the
Mayor took office. This includes £12 million of City Hall
funding and £24.6 million secured from the government.
The Mayor of London, , said: “This ongoing
heatwave could be dangerous for anyone, but for people sleeping
rough, there are additional risks. That is why City Hall is
working with London’s boroughs to prioritise support for some of
our most vulnerable Londoners.
“Across the capital, we are taking action to assist those forced
to sleep rough in these extremely high temperatures, by
increasing welfare checks, providing plenty of water and
sunscreen and ensuring people sleeping rough know where to access
cool spaces and water fountains.
“As ever, London’s councils and charities will be working hard
this week to support those sleeping rough in our city. On behalf
of all Londoners, I thank them for their tireless efforts.”
Cllr Darren Rodwell, London Councils’ Executive Member
for Regeneration, Housing & Planning,said: “Boroughs
play a crucial role in co-ordinating local services and helping
to keep those sleeping rough on London’s streets safe at all
times, but especially during extreme weather events.
“Heatwaves increase health risks for the street homeless, so
we’re working hard to ensure they get the support they need.
We’ll be monitoring the situation in our communities closely in
the coming days.”
Rick Henderson, chief executive of Homeless Link,
said “This extreme hot weather is particularly dangerous
for people sleeping rough, and activating the severe weather
emergency response will be vital for preventing loss of life in
the capital over the coming days. We know that many of our
frontline member organisations have already stepped up the
support they are offering to people to keep them safe, and will
be prepared to act on the Mayor’s directions.”
Notes to editors:
SWEP is triggered via the MET weather alerts, with level 3
triggering the SWEP response in London –
https://www.metoffice.gov.uk/public/weather/heat-health/?tab=heatHealth&season=normal
