Telford & Wrekin Council continues to tackle homelessness

Telford & Wrekin Council’s Housing Solutions team has continued to support and find accommodation for rough sleepers after operating its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) throughout the winter months.

From 1 November 2025 to 25 March 2026, SWEP figures show that 61 people (70%) accepted offers of emergency accommodation and 100% of those (87) who approached the Council for support were offered a place to stay, despite some refusing the support.

During this period, 38 of those people supported have since found and accepted settled accommodation.

The Council has announced that due to the success of SWEP and the number of people it has helped, it will continue to provide support and emergency accommodation for those rough sleeping all year around through the CARE project. 

CARE is a fully staffed emergency accommodation service dedicated to individuals verified as sleeping rough.

The Council, along with key partners STAY Telford and KiP Telford, already offers intensive support to individuals who are faced with rough sleeping and the CARE project will enable crisis accommodation and support all year around.

The service has two key purposes – firstly offering clients immediate safety and stabilisation and then to provide ongoing engagement with the aim of supporting clients into long‑term housing.

CARE ensures that individuals sleeping rough have access to a safe, secure, and supportive environment and provides emergency accommodation and helps them move toward sustainable housing and improved wellbeing.

Housing Solutions Officers (Rough Sleeper Leads and Co-ordinators) and Tenancy Sustainment Officers at the Council are available throughout the day to work proactively with individuals.

They help them explore the underlying factors contributing to their homelessness and also refer them to the wider support they may need.

Accommodation offered initially gives clients a stable environment where they can be assessed and then referred to appropriate long‑term housing solutions to reduce repeat homelessness.

Councillor Richard Overton, Telford & Wrekin Council’s Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement, said: 

“These latest SWEP figures underline the support which has been provided for people sleeping rough for whatever reason across Telford and Wrekin during the winter months but is a protocol which can now be activated all year round.

“Through the CARE model we aim to provide not only immediate safety and shelter for rough sleepers but also structured support that guides individuals towards long‑term stability and independence.

“We remain committed to supporting people in the first instance to helping them find more permanent accommodation going forward.”

If you’re worried about someone sleeping rough, please call Telford & Wrekin Council’s Housing Solutions team on 01952 381925.