The Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) is a response used by local authorities during periods of severe weather to help protect people who are sleeping rough from harm.
SWEP is often put in place when temperatures are forecast to fall below 0°C for three or more consecutive nights, although councils may use different triggers depending on local circumstances.
When SWEP is in operation, councils may provide emergency accommodation to people who are sleeping rough, regardless of their eligibility for homelessness assistance. This includes people with no recourse to public funds (NRPF).
Local authorities are not under a statutory duty to provide accommodation through SWEP. Decisions about when and how SWEP operates are made locally.
Further information about good practice is available in the Homeless Link SWEP toolkit.
Page updated: 10 July 2026
