Extra help for homeless as temperatures plummet

3 January 2026

Ayshea Buksh,Dalston, Hackneyand

Julia Gregory,London

News image — Warm coats are available for people at Warm Spaces in six Hackney libraries

Cristian Mantio/BBC A clothes rack is full of coats with some yellow and blue ones standing out. There is a green hat hanging from the end of the rack and a brown coat with a furry hood next to it. — Warm coats are available for people at Warm Spaces in six Hackney libraries

Rough sleepers in London are getting extra help after the capital's severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP) was activated.

It means that emergency accommodation opens up to give people a bed for the night indoors in the warm after temperatures dropped below zero (32F).

The Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan said the cold could be "dangerous and it can often be fatal" for people sleeping on the streets.

City Hall said it was working with councils across London to reach as many of the capital's rough sleepers as possible during sub-zero conditions.

The Met Office has said temperatures are to drop to -2C (28F) overnight from Saturday to Sunday, but will feel like -6C (21F).

'Struggling to meet the demand'

Warm Spaces have also been set up again across the capital in libraries, churches and community spaces for people to get a hot drink and stay in the warmth during the day time.

Catherine de Abaitua, libraries, venues and events manager in Hackney, where people can collect or donate warm clothing, said: "The need has increased.

"We are struggling to meet the demand of people who are needing a warm coat, warm hat, scarf and gloves."

Allow X content?

This article contains content provided by X. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read

X’s cookie policy

and

before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

Last winter London boroughs housed more than 2,000 people during SWEP activations, according to the Greater London Authority (GLA).

More than 13,000 people were seen rough sleeping by outreach workers in the 2024 to 2025 count - the highest number ever recorded on London's CHAIN database.

The mayor of London urged people to connect anyone rough sleeping with local support services using StreetLink.

He also urged people to donate to TAP London, a volunteer-led non-profit organisation that helps people experiencing homelessness, which is run in partnership with the GLA.

In December, City Hall launched a Floating Hub service in up to 17 hotspots in London to support longer-term rough sleepers.

Listen to the best of BBC Radio London on Sounds and follow BBC London on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected]