Council Did Not Open Emergency Shelters During Recent Storms
Brighton and Hove City Council kept emergency shelters closed during two storms this week, citing weather warnings that did not meet activation criteria.
Shelter Criteria Not Met
No emergency shelters opened for rough sleepers in Brighton and Hove during the recent storms because weather conditions did not trigger the council's activation protocol. The council activates its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) shelter when temperature is predicted to feel like 0°C or when an amber weather warning is issued. Both Storm Austen and Storm Boelo carried only yellow weather warnings across the city, so the facility remained closed.
Councillor Raises Concerns
Green councillor Bruno De Oliveira questioned whether the council had been clear about activating SWEP, noting that Eastbourne Borough Council had already acted. On 22 October, Eastbourne announced SWEP activation due to forecast high winds, providing night shelter and deploying outreach workers.
Councillor De Oliveira said: "For someone sleeping outside, 'yellow' is not another word for 'safe'." He highlighted guidance from Homeless Link, a national charity, updated on 14 October, which states: "Severe weather is not just about freezing temperatures. Dangerous wind and rain matter too."
He added: "Tents, exposed doorways and soaked bedding do not become safer because temperatures remain above freezing." He argued that a yellow weather warning should not prevent a proper risk assessment, and that SWEP decisions should consider the Housing Act 1996 and councils' existing accommodation duties.
Council Response
Labour councillor Gill Williams, cabinet member for housing, said: "While we offer support for people rough sleeping all year round and our street outreach team have been out morning and evening through the week, we open our Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) shelter when the temperature is predicted to feel like 0C or there's an amber weather warning."
Councillor Williams stated the council would soon confirm winter support arrangements for rough sleepers, including funding through the new national Rough Sleeping Programme, with the aim of offering everyone sleeping rough accommodation or support by Christmas 2026.
Background
Brighton and Hove's homelessness strategy recorded 3,580 people experiencing homelessness in June 2024, including 52 sleeping rough.
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