London has activated its severe weather emergency protocol (SWEP), initiating emergency housing for individuals experiencing homelessness.

This initiative is triggered when temperatures drop to 0°C (32°F) and involves boroughs throughout the city, in collaboration with homelessness organizations, providing extra emergency shelter for those sleeping outdoors in life-threatening conditions.

In the count from 2024 to 2025, outreach teams identified over 13,000 individuals sleeping rough in London, marking the highest figure ever recorded in the city’s CHAIN database.

Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan emphasized that the SWEP is designed to ensure that everyone without shelter is provided with emergency accommodations and resources to stay off the streets.

Last winter, London boroughs successfully sheltered over 2,000 individuals.

Hannah Faulkner from the charity St Mungo’s stated, “As temperatures reach freezing, the dangers for those without homes significantly increase.

“Extended exposure to cold and wet environments can result in critical health issues like hypothermia, frostbite, and respiratory illnesses, and can exacerbate pre-existing health conditions. In severe cases, this can be fatal.

“Our teams are working around the clock to bring vulnerable individuals into safe, warm shelter and to connect them with the vital services they require.”

Grace Williams, the executive member for housing and regeneration at London Councils, remarked, “Rough sleeping is always perilous, but during extreme cold weather, it poses a significant risk to life.

“Boroughs are diligently preparing emergency accommodations and assisting individuals in transitioning off the streets as temperatures drop.”