SNOW and sub-zero overnight temperatures has prompted Oxford City Council to make extra bed spaces available to rough sleepers.
The council has invoked its 'Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)' after seeing the forecast for the next couple of days.
Emergency accommodation is available for anyone who would otherwise be sleeping rough on the night – even if they would not usually be eligible for the city’s 'adult homeless pathway.'
The SWEP is currently in place from tonight until Monday.
The Oxford Street Population Outreach Team (Oxford SPOT), which is run by St Mungo’s and based at Homeless Oxfordshire’s O’Hanlon House, will be out telling potential rough sleepers that SWEP beds are available
Councillor Mike Rowley, Board Member for Housing, said: “We are invoking SWEP because it will be freezing tonight and we have a humanitarian obligation to do everything we can to prevent serious harm – or worse – to homeless people on the city’s streets.
"I’d like to thank the volunteers and professionals involved in the SWEP operation for their efforts in helping rough sleepers into emergency accommodation.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here