Beds will be available for rough sleepers over the coming days with temperatures expected to remain below freezing at night.
Many local authorities across the south of England have activated their Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which means free emergency accommodation is available to everyone.
SWEP is activated when temperatures are set to fall below zero for at least three nights in a row and overnight lows could fall to -6C on Saturday morning.
“Those sleeping on the streets are at an increased risk of health complications, not to mention that with freezing temperatures there’s a risk of life,” Ellie Alway-Thomas, senior service manager for St Mungo’s in Oxford and Reading, said.
The accommodation can be used by people who have no right to claim benefits or housing in the UK or have previously been refused offers of accommodation or other support.
An Oxford City Council spokesperson said it had activated its SWEP plans on Christmas Day, extended them on 29 December and will review them on Monday.
In Southampton, a city council spokesperson said it opened its accommodation on Tuesday and that it will review that on 9 January.
BCP and Dorset councils confirmed their accommodation is open, while Slough council said its has been opened since Tuesday and that it will be reviewed on Monday.
“One of the best ways for these people to help is by alerting your local outreach team to the person via the app StreetLink,” Ms Alway-Thomas added.
“The team [in an area] then receives a notification and they’re able to respond to that alert by going out and making contact with that person. It’s important to remember that if your concerns are immediate about that person’s health to not delay and call 999.”
