Warm Havens across the borough open for respite, advice and support.
Newham Council has introduced an emergency response across all departments to support residents during the current period of extreme cold.
Services from across the council, including housing, public health and inclusive economy, are reaching out to residents who may be struggling during the cost of living emergency, which is further impacted by the severe weather.
As part of its ongoing response the cost of living crisis, Newham Council has opened Warm Havens across the borough. These are safe, non-judgemental warm spaces where residents can go, free of charge, for whatever reason they like. View the map of Newham's Warm Havens.
As part of this programme all of Newham’s libraries are now open for extended hours, including Sunday for the first time:
- Stratford, East Ham, Forest Gate and Canning Town: Monday-Saturday 9am-8pm and Sunday 12noon-4pm
- Plaistow and North Woolwich: Monday-Saturday 9:30-8pm and Sunday 12noon-4pm
- Manor Park, Beckton, Green Street, Custom House: Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm and Sunday 12noon-4pm
The Warm Havens Programme is working with partners of the Council to keep spaces and places open for longer and small grants of up to £500 are available to voluntary/community or faith organisations, as well as informal local community groups, who want to support residents who are facing difficulties.
More information on the support available as a result of the cost of living crisis can be found here: https://www.newham.gov.uk/council/cost-living-response - alternatively you can visit your local library for advice and information.
Councillor Neil Wilson, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “The current cold weather is putting an extra strain on the most vulnerable in our community particularly residents who are already struggling with the cost of living crisis. We are working with our partners to identify and contact all those who need extra help, but I would urge anyone who knows of someone who needs support, to use our website to direct them to assistance.”
For the first time this winter, the GLA (Greater London Authority) has triggered a severe weather response for rough sleepers (SWEP or Severe Weather Emergency Protocol), as temperatures hit zero. The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has agreed with London councils, including Newham that severe weather shelters will now open London-wide.
The SWEP was first declared on Wednesday 7 December which means Newham is now operating a programme to provide emergency accommodation and enhanced outreach work to identify and assist rough sleepers.
Since Wednesday, Newham Council’s outreach teams have identified 24 rough sleepers and provided them with accommodation and support.
If you are concerned about a rough sleeper please call Streetlink on 0300 500 0914 or visit their webpage at www.streetlink.org.uk.
In addition Newham Council is working with the homeless charities Crisis and St Mungo’s to provide accommodation in Newham at The Good Hotel in Royal Victoria Dock from 20 December to 26 January.
This is the second year that Crisis has been able to extend one of its Christmas services until the end of January.
Last year, 76% of guests who received the extended support didn’t return to the streets. Crisis and partners including Newham Council hope to build on this success in 2023, supporting as many people as possible to start their journey out of homelessness for good.
With the hotel extension funded by the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities – as well as through public donations to Crisis and vital collaboration with St Mungo’s, The GLA and Newham Council guests will be provided with additional services including mental health and addiction support.
Jason Strelitz, Corporate Director for Adults and Health said: “I am proud that Newham Public Health and Adult Social Care have been able to advise and support Crisis to operate safely and confidently once again from the Good Hotel. As Newham are hosting the extension period this year, guests at the hotel will receive a multi-agency approach to support services including Covid vaccines/boosters and required health checks to keep them safe this winter.”
For residents with children, support is available from the Newham Winter Activities and Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) programme.
Residents in need of support accessing food and a warm meal can contact the Newham Food Alliance, 07790 975 086 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm) at or email frontdoor@newhamfoodalliance.org