There is never a good time to be homeless, but winter must be the worst.—Wealden District Council, 22 December 2016
If you notice someone sleeping rough, there are a range of measures Wealden District Council can use to help out.
The Council operates severe weather emergency provision of accommodation (known as ‘SWEP’) when the weather is very cold or there are other extreme weather conditions.
This means if someone would otherwise be sleeping rough and they approach the Council for help, we can provide emergency accommodation until the weather improves. This allows the homeless person time to work with the Council or other agencies to find other accommodation.
“The number of people sleeping rough in Wealden is very small but it is still unacceptable,” said Councillor Graham Wells, Cabinet member for Housing and Benefits. “We will do all we can, within the constraints of available resources, to find solutions.”
Night shelters, run by church based organisations, operate in the winter months outside of Wealden but availability for local residents, with no connection to those areas, may be limited.
Customers needing help and advice on their housing situation or if they are at risk of homelessness, should contact the Council’s Housing Options team at housingoptions@wealden.gov.uk or call 01323 443380. For out of hours help if you are homeless over the holiday period – contact Welbeing on 01323 644422.
