Coronavirus prevents Northampton's emergency homeless shelter from opening in heatwave, says council

Northampton Borough Council says it regrets that it cannot open its emergency weather shelter for the town's rough sleepers during the August heatwave due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The council says restrictions in place because of social distancing means it cannot use its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) to open the Oasis Centre for homeless people to shelter in during the hot weather.

The idea was suggested in an online video by the organiser of Northampton homelessness charity Project 16:15 Stan Robinson on Monday when temperatures in Northampton reached highs of over 32 degrees Celcius.

Councillor Stephen Hibbert, cabinet member for housing and wellbeing said: “Unfortunately, it is not possible to open an emergency shelter due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the requirement for social distancing."

Meanwhile, the council and the town's Single Homelessness Forum - which is made up of several organisations such as the Hope Centre and Northampton Association for the Accommodation of the Single Homeless (NAASH) - say they have been working every day to help the town's rough sleepers.

Councillor Stephen Hibbert, cabinet member for housing and wellbeing said: “Throughout this period of exceptionally high temperatures, the Council’s Street Outreach Team are working closely with other organisations, including Northampton Hope Centre, to ensure that rough sleepers are visited regularly and receive the help and advice they need to stay safe, hydrated and shaded from the sun.

“Every day from 6.30am, the Street Outreach Workers have handed out bottled water, hats and sun protection cream to rough sleepers, encouraged them to make use of local services and have advised those sitting in direct sunlight where to find shade.

“The Hope Centre is open from Monday to Saturday between 11.30am and 1.30pm, offering food, drink and showers and outside of these hours, the Street Outreach Workers carry out regular patrols.

“Since the national lockdown at the end of March 2020, the Council and other members of Northampton’s Single Homelessness Forum have provided emergency accommodation, toiletries, fresh clothing, a regular laundry service, three meals a day and access to round-the-clock advice and support for more than 150 people who were sleeping rough, living in the town’s dormitory-style night shelters or at risk of having to sleep rough. During this period, members of the Single Homelessness Forum have helped 93 people move on into settled housing.”

"Anyone concerned for the welfare of a rough sleeper should telephone the Street Outreach Team on (01604) 838101 or e-mail them at [email protected]."

It comes after the Forum housed more than 100 rough sleepers in two Northampton hotels at the beginning of the outbreak to keep them off the street during the pandemic.