Emergency homeless shelters across the United Kingdom are bracing for a surge in demand as a severe cold snap sends temperatures plummeting below zero, intensifying the nation's ongoing housing crisis.
Emergency Protocols Activated Nationwide
Local authorities from North Somerset to Bristol City have now activated their Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), a critical measure to provide immediate overnight shelter. The move comes as forecasters predict lows of -3°C in some regions, with the potential for even more extreme conditions over lying snow. In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan has sanctioned additional support, starkly warning that such cold poses a "dangerous and often fatal" threat to those forced to sleep outdoors.
Alarming Rise in Rough Sleeping Figures
Newly released data paints a grim picture of the escalating situation. Figures from the Combined Homelessness and Information Network (CHAIN) for April 2024 to March 2025 show that 13,231 people were sleeping rough in London, marking a 10 per cent increase from the previous year. This represents a staggering 63 per cent rise compared to 2015/16 levels. Disturbingly, outreach workers report that half of those encountered have mental health support needs.
The crisis extends far beyond the capital. Research from Shelter published in December 2025 indicates that 382,618 people in England were homeless, including 175,025 children. On any given night, at least 4,667 people are on the streets—a 20 per cent annual increase—with a further 16,294 in hostels or temporary accommodation.
Charities Warn of Systemic Failures and Funding Gaps
Charity leaders stress that the cold weather exposes deep, systemic failures. Francesca Albanese, Director of Policy and Social Change at Crisis, highlighted the unsustainable reliance on temporary accommodation. "There isn’t enough social housing and the private sector isn’t affordable," she stated, noting this crisis is "decades in the making." She warned that while SWEP provisions are "vital and lifesaving," they are a short-term fix that often fails to connect individuals with long-term support.
Ffion Nicholas, Helpline Manager at youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, dispelled the myth that councils can support all who become homeless. "A lot of people fall through the cracks," she said, noting a troubling shift from sofa surfing to street sleeping among young people. Charities also report a rising number of pensioners facing homelessness due to frozen housing benefits, insufficient pensions, and soaring energy costs.
Despite welcoming Labour's pledged £39bn investment in affordable housing, organisations like Crisis, Shelter, and Centrepoint emphasise that those on the streets need homes immediately, not in a decade. They also warn that emergency accommodation funding has not kept pace with the rising need, leaving services under immense strain.
The UK Health Security Agency has issued amber cold health alerts for England, valid until Friday. While some severe weather warnings expired on Monday morning, snow and ice alerts remain for parts of Scotland, Wales, the South West, and eastern England. The Met Office forecasts another freezing night into Tuesday, with wintry showers expected to continue across Wales and south-west England, and disruptive snow possible in central and northern Scotland.
