Cold weather shelter opened for Brighton and Hove’s homeless

With temperatures dropping below freezing a temporary emergency cold weather shelter has opened for rough sleepers in Brighton and Hove.

The First Base Day Centre, in Montpelier Place, Brighton, will offer warm food and drinks and bedding, as well as counselling sessions for those seeking advice, healthcare and support.

It is being run by the Brighton Housing Trust and social care charity CRI on behalf of Brighton and Hove City Council.

The council’s cabinet member for housing, Councillor Liz Wakefield, said: “We’re doing everything we can to make sure all rough sleepers in the city are made aware of the emergency cold weather shelter.

“It can be a vital chance for our rough sleepers team to help people who might normally be difficult to engage with. In some cases it can lead to homeless people finding accommodation, or getting linked in with essential healthcare, benefits or legal support.”

BHT’s director of homelessness services, Nikki Homewood, said: “The ability of the city to provide emergency accommodation for those sleeping on the streets in freezing temperatures is down to the excellent joint working between the council, CRI, BHT and other local homelessness organisations.

“Once again we have come together to provide safe and warm facilities to those most in need.”

The city’s rough sleepers hotline can be contacted on freephone 0808 1680414, or email Brighton.rsssrt@cri.org.uk