A Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is an emergency homelessness response to extreme weather conditions, which local authorities may implement when temperatures are forecasted to fall below 0°c for three or more consecutive nights. This protocol aims to safeguard individuals from the risk of death or illness as a result of cold weather.
When SWEP is in place, local authorities will provide a person who is rough sleeping with access to emergency accommodation, regardless of their eligibility for homelessness assistance. This includes to people with no recourse to public funds.
Local authorities do not have a statutory duty to accommodate homeless people during severe or cold weather. Local authorities instead will make a voluntary decision to implement a SWEP, therefore each local authority's participation depends on local decision-making.
Homeless Link have developed a toolkit outlining good practice for local authorities implementing SWEP provision.
Page updated: 04 July 2025
