Winter shelter for rough sleepers in Cambridge

Support for rough sleepers in Cambridge has been rolled out as temperatures plummet.

Cambridge City Council and it's partner charities are working to ensure everyone can access a safe and warm place to stay in the colder months.

20 en suite rooms are available in the city centre, for people sleeping rough to stay in, until suitable longer-term accommodation becomes available.

Beds are open to anyone who has been verified by the city council as sleeping rough, and who is locally connected to Cambridge.

It comes as a cold snap bites the city, with freezing temperatures expected.
 
Councillor Cameron Holloway, Cambridge City Council:

"We are delighted to once again be working with partners across the city to deliver this much needed service. Working together, we have shown that we can provide real support and enable change for those that need it.

"No one should have to sleep rough, especially not in the winter. I encourage anyone who needs it to make use of this offer of accommodation – you’ll also be offered support and advice to address your specific needs, and help to move into safe, longer-term housing."

There are many ways residents can help rough sleepers, including:

• Report if someone is sleeping rough via Streetlink by calling 0300 500 0914 or visiting streetlink.org.uk
• Donate to Cambridge Street Aid, the charitable fund helping people to get off,  and stay off, the streets. This can be done via one of the many contactless giving points in the city or via the online giving page justgiving.com/campaigns/charity/cambridgeshirecommunity/csa 
• Visit the Street Support website for further details of the services operating in the city: streetsupport.net/cambridge/ 
• Find out more about the help available in the city for single homeless people and people sleeping rough at cambridge.gov.uk/services-for-rough-sleepers