We operate a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) when night time temperatures are predicted to be freezing or below.

Emergency accommodation

When the protocol is triggered, we provide emergency accommodation for people with nowhere to sleep that night.

During office hours, you can contact Kingsley House in Gillingham on 01634 333 600 or freephone 0808 164 1444 before 5pm (4.45pm on Fridays).

It will assess the individual’s circumstances and manage the arrangements for booking emergency accommodation.

Outside of office hours, our out-of-hours homelessness service will arrange to place rough sleepers into emergency accommodation during the time that the emergency protocol is in operation.

You can contact the out-of-hours homelessness service on 01634 304 400.

Once the minimum temperature is predicted to have risen above zero degrees Celsius, and any significant snow or ice has melted, emergency accommodation will no longer be provided.

Tell us about a rough sleeper

Spreading the word about the protocol

We spread word that the emergency protocol is in effect via the Homelessness Forum, which includes the police, health services, housing providers, local charities and support workers.

Together, these organisations inform as many rough sleepers as they can that accommodation is available to them during the period of severe weather.

Information is also posted on our social media accounts.