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Council encourages rough sleepers to get in touch

ByEmily

Mar 2, 2018

REDCAR & Cleveland Borough Council is encouraging rough sleepers to get in touch so the local authority can try and help find them accommodation and get appropriate support particularly during the current spell of cold weather.

The council has a response to assisting rough sleepers all year round with No Second Night Out (NSNO), which is a Government initiative aiming to make sure that no-one new to the street has to spend more than one night sleeping rough.

Another initiative, Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), is in place in the event of severe weather conditions, where the temperature has been below 0 degrees Celsius for three consecutive days. In this instance, emergency temporary accommodation can be arranged until the weather improves.

The council also encourages the public to make a report if they see a rough sleeper, so they can get the support they need, by calling 01287 612444 or through the national rough sleeper hotline, StreetLink, on 0300 500 0914.

Cllr Lynn Pallister, Cabinet Member for Health and Housing at Redcar & Cleveland Borough Council said: “With the current cold weather we have had in the borough, the council is helping everyone who needs it to find accommodation.

“However, we can’t be everywhere at once which is why it is so important that if anyone spots someone in need of support, they should phone the council – or StreetLink – as soon as possible.

“It is important that everyone is aware of the No Second Night Out initiative so no one has to spend any more time than they need to sleeping rough.”

If you are, or know of, a rough sleeper, please call the council on 01287 612444 or through the national rough sleeper hotline, StreetLink, on 0300 500 0914.

By Emily