Severe Weather Emergency Protocol from 01/01/2021 to 31/03/2024
Case reference FOI2024/01660
Received 2 October 2024
Published 15 October 2024
Request
We would like to know about how you implemented the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol from 01/01/2021 to 31/03/2024.
1. Dates of SWEP activation since 01/01/2021
This refers to the dates of every local authority Severe Weather Emergency Protocols activation since January 1st 2021 - activation is defined as when the weather has reached a prescribed threshold that is temperature based or aligned with the Cold-Heath Alert (CHA) System leading to emergency spaces for shelter being made available for people sleeping rough.
2. Length of activation
This refers to the duration of the SWEP activation. Please answer in hours. If accurate data on duration is not available, please answer to the nearest day (enter 24 hours for roughly one day, 48 hours for roughly two days etc).
3. Total number of emergency spaces made available under SWEP
This refers to the total number of spaces (including bed spaces and sit ups) made available under the Severe Weather Emergency protocols in your local authority area.
4. Number of emergency spaces made available under SWEP specifically for young people
This refers to the total number of spaces (including bed spaces and sit ups) that are specifically made available under SWEP to young people aged 16-25.
5. Number of emergency spaces made available under SWEP specifically for groups defined as priority need in legislation
This refers to the total number of spaces (including bed spaces and sit ups) that are specifically made available under SWEP to all peoples defined as priority need*
Response
We would like to know about how you implemented the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol from 01/01/2021 to 31/03/2024.
1. Dates of SWEP activation since 01/01/2021
This refers to the dates of every local authority Severe Weather Emergency Protocols activation since January 1st 2021 - activation is defined as when the weather has reached a prescribed threshold that is temperature based or aligned with the Cold-Heath Alert (CHA) System leading to emergency spaces for shelter being made available for people sleeping rough.
A: SWEP was activated within the County of Herefordshire on the following dates since January 2021 to date (11th October 2024):
09/01/21
08/02/21
06/03/21
07/12/22
15/01/23
03/02/23
23/02/23
03/03/23
24/11/23
2. Length of activation
This refers to the duration of the SWEP activation. Please answer in hours. If accurate data on duration is not available, please answer to the nearest day (enter 24 hours for roughly one day, 48 hours for roughly two days etc).
A: 09/01/21 – 25/01/21 = 16 days (384 hrs)
08/02/21 – 15/02/21 = 7 days (168 hrs)
06/03/21 – 11/03/21 = 5 days (120 hrs)
07/12/22 – 19/12/21 = 12 days (288 hrs)
15/01/23 – 30/01/23 = 15 days (360 hrs)
03/02/23 – 13/02/23 = 10 days (240 hrs)
23/02/23 – 28/02/23 = 5 days (120 hrs)
03/03/23 – 15/03/23 = 12 days (288 hrs)
24/11/23 – 04/12/23 = 10 days (240 hrs)
3. Total number of emergency spaces made available under SWEP
This refers to the total number of spaces (including bed spaces and sit ups) made available under the Severe Weather Emergency protocols in your local authority area.
A: 155 ( a space is calculated as a bed space made available for one person for one night).
During the winter months Herefordshire operates a Night Shelter for those who are homeless and deemed not to have a Priority Need under S189 of the Housing Act 1996. During the periods the Night Shelter is in operation SWEP bookings are only made where there are no spaces available at the Night Shelter or the person requesting accommodation cannot access the Night Shelter.
4. Number of emergency spaces made available under SWEP specifically for young people
This refers to the total number of spaces (including bed spaces and sit ups) that are specifically made available under SWEP to young people aged 16-25.
A: The number of spaces made available as SWEP bookings for 16-25 yr olds is 0.
The only criteria for SWEP bookings is that the person is homeless and the temperature is at the prescribed threshold. Where there is reason to believe that a person is homeless and meets one or more of the criteria for Priority Need under S189 of the Housing Act 1996 then they are offered emergency accommodation under other criteria and are not included in the SWEP figures.
5. Number of emergency spaces made available under SWEP specifically for groups defined as priority need in legislation
This refers to the total number of spaces (including bed spaces and sit ups) that are specifically made available under SWEP to all peoples defined as priority need*
A: The number of spaces made available as SWEP bookings for groups defined as priority need in legislation is 0.
The only criteria for SWEP bookings is that the person is homeless and the temperature is at the prescribed threshold. Where there is reason to believe that a person is homeless and meets one or more of the criteria for Priority Need under S189 of the Housing Act 1996 then they are offered emergency accommodation under other criteria and are not included in the SWEP figures.
Documents
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