With temperatures plummeting, here is a reminder of the cold weather arrangements for each local authority area.
Bradford:
The Cold Weather provision is a multi-agency partnership that provides emergency bed spaces in Bradford for people experiencing rough sleeping on freezing winter nights, commissioned by Bradford Council.
The service operates between 1 October and 30 April and opens when the predicted temperature for the upcoming evening is due to fall to zero or below. The Cold Weather partners provide emergency beds for clients in communal rooms, so no one has to sleep on the streets on the coldest winter nights.
Referrals to the service are made by approaching the Day Shelter at 371 Leeds Road, Bradford, BD3 9NG in person. A lateral flow test will need to be taken to establish if you are COVID positive. The referral desk is open Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 4pm when cold weather is activated. Access to the service over the weekend and Bank Holidays can be made over the phone on 01274 309165 between the same hours.
Calderdale:
The cold weather provision is open in Calderdale when the temperature is predicted to be zero or below. If you need to access emergency accommodation during office hours please attend 42 Market Street, Halifax HX1 1PG. Outside of these hours please contact the Emergency Duty Team on 01422 288000.
Kirklees:
The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol gets activated when temperatures are forecast to fall to zero degrees or below, for three consecutive nights or where there is particularly adverse weather.
SWEP will be in place from 6 December 2022 and will be reviewed Monday morning 12 December 2022.
More information can be found here.
SWEP is an additional ‘safety net’ for those in danger of rough sleeping.
The Council’s Rough Sleeping Initiative team, homelessness partners and street outreach groups operate throughout the year, assisting many at risk of sleeping rough. This includes facilitating access to emergency accommodation and support with addressing poor health and substance misuse. SWEP provides quicker access to an emergency bed while we continue to work with individuals.
If you know or meet anyone who will be sleeping rough during this time, please contact the numbers below, and spread the word so that other people are aware too:
Out of hours/weekend – Emergency Duty Service: 01484 414933
Weekdays between 9 and 5pm – Housing Solutions Service – 01484 221350
In addition to SWEP, Kirklees Council also has some other help in place for people struggling with the cold weather here.
Emergency numbers:
Emergency adverse weather: 01484 414888
We will support anyone who is identified as at risk because of adverse weather conditions.
If you can’t get to an urgent hospital appointment, and it can’t be postponed, ask the hospital to ring this number to ask for our help.
Kirklees Homes and Neighbourhoods: 01484 414886
If you are concerned about a vulnerable neighbour who is a council tenant they will arrange for someone to check in on them.
Emergency problems on the roads: 01484 414700
North Yorkshire:
Harrogate Borough Council
During periods of severe weather Harrogate Borough Council offer emergency accommodation to anyone rough sleeping. This is in cold weather (when the night time temperature is predicted to be zero degrees or below for three consecutive nights), and when other severe weather conditions are predicted (major flood, storms etc.) where there may be a risk to life. The service is open Friday and over the weekend and will then be reviewed. Please contact 01423 500600.
Craven District Council
During periods of severe weather, Craven District Council offer emergency accommodation to anyone rough sleeping. This is in cold weather (when the night time temperature is predicted to be zero degrees or below for three consecutive nights), and when other severe weather conditions are predicted (major flood, storms etc.) where there may be a risk to life. The service is open Friday and over the weekend and will then be reviewed. Please contact 01756 700600 within office hours and 01653 699392 out of office hours.
Selby
During periods of severe weather in the winter months (November to March inclusive), Access Selby’s Housing Options Team will offer overnight emergency accommodation for rough sleepers. For provision of emergency accommodation to be considered by the Housing Options Team, the Meteorological Office (‘Met Office’) forecast must predict that for the next three consecutive nights or more, temperatures are expected to be at a minimum of zero degrees Celsius or lower. The service is open Friday and over the weekend and will then be reviewed. Please contact 01757 705101 within office hours and 01653 600941.