Rough sleepers

Rough sleeping is one of the most visible types of homelessness. Rough sleeping includes sleeping outside or in places that aren't designed for people to live in, including cars, doorways and abandoned buildings.

Cheshire East Council has committed to end rough sleeping across the borough within the our housing strategy. This commitment follows an acknowledgement that Rough Sleeping has increased over the last few years particularly in our main towns.

Our Rough Sleeping Team will investigate and attempt to assist anyone found to be sleeping outside,but we have no powers of removal. We must act within current legislation, meaning there are some people we legally cannot help.

How you can help

We encourage you to let us know as soon as possible if you encounter someone who you believe is sleeping outside. It is not necessary to approach the individual in question. You can contact us: 

Online

Visit the Streetlink website, which is run by a charity called Homeless Link. Once a report is made via this system it is automatically forwarded to us and we will go out and try and find the person. It provides us with lots of the information we need to know and adds to the national rough sleeping picture. 

By phone

Tell us about someone sleeping rough by calling 0300 123 5017. This line connects you to trained Housing Advisors who will refer to our Outreach Team. Outside of office hours your call will be redirected to a voicemail with an alternate contact number.

How we can help

There are several ways which we can assist rough sleepers. See our homelessness and housing options guide. 

Outreach

We have a Rough Sleepers Outreach team who will visit and support anyone sleeping outside who is reported to us. If we cannot find accommodation for them or if the person does not want the accommodation we have on offer, we can provide practical and regular outreach support to ensure people are safe and warm.

Accommodation

Cheshire East Council commission emergency beds known as ‘No Further Night Out’ beds across the borough.

These beds are for people who are either rough sleeping or at risk of rough sleeping. They will be provided with ongoing help and support to find settled accommodation, and people will be linked in with other agencies they may need to support them. 

We also have supported accommodation which is more long-term with support available to help them find a permanent home.

Financial assistance

We have financial support that we can use to help to pay deposits and rent in advance to enable people how have experienced homelessness to access private rented accommodation.

Severe weather emergency protocol

Cheshire East Council along with all other local authorities across England are required to provide accommodation to anyone found to be rough sleeping when the forecasted temperatures are due to be at or below zero degrees for three consecutive nights - Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP).

Cheshire East has been running a  SWEP provision for several years and instead of using the actual forecasted temperatures, we have opted to use the “real feel” temperature instead which has meant us being able to provide accommodation to individuals for greater periods of time and working with those individuals to prevent them having to go back onto to streets.

Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse can occur, in accommodation but you can also experience abuse whilst you are sleeping outside or in short term accommodation.

If someone you know is causing you to feel unsafe you need to contact us.

Contact the Housing Options team

Email: housingoptions@cheshireeast.gov.uk
Phone: 0300 123 5017