Severe Weather Emergency Provision

The Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) has now been deactivated. However, Hastings Borough Council has received Rough Sleeping Prevention and Recovery Grant funding from the government and will be using this to continue to fund the night shelter with Warming Up The Homeless to provide a place of overnight safety for rough sleepers during the winter period.

The night shelter will remain open every night until 31 May 2026.

The shelter will operate on a referral basis. Services working with residents will need to complete the Warming Up The Homeless referral form and send it to Trudy@wuth.org and Service Liaison Manager, teresa@wuth.org.

Services are also expected to still complete the duty to refer form used by your service and send it to Hastings Borough Council housingadvice@hastings.gov.uk. This is to ensure that the individuals' housing and homelessness duties can be assessed if not already known or open to the service.

Please note: People who have somewhere else to stay that night should be encouraged to access whatever provision is made available. The night shelter is for people who a) have been verified rough sleeping, or b) are at risk of sleeping rough for the first time that night, but have no where else to go.

The overnight centre is at Gizmo House, 23 Priory Street, Hastings, East Sussex TN34 1EA (opposite Domino’s Pizza). Telephone: 07367 060708 / 07731 998878.

The centre will provide dorm style beds with freshly laundered pillows and duvets, with space available for those who need a quieter room.

Warming Up The Homeless have confirmed that:

• people with pets are welcome;
• three hot meals a day will be provided at no cost;
• people can access free shower facilities;
• people can access free laundry facilities;
• last entry 10pm;
• people do not need to approach the council in order to access this provision, but must be referred in where possible;
• people will be encouraged to engage with the housing team at the council to try and find long term suitable housing.

We are continuing to offer support to rough sleepers this winter including support to find a longer-term home. If you are concerned about someone who is rough sleeping, let us know at StreetLink.