With the weather taking a turn for the worse, Maidstone Borough Council has put in place its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol so that it can provide emergency accommodation to anyone needing it as temperatures drop.

The aim is to prevent anyone having to sleep out during extreme cold weather when the ambient temperatures feel like zero or below.

John Littlemore, Maidstone Borough Council's head of housing and community services said: "The winter period often presents greater risks to people’s health, as extreme cold can cause serious problems - and at worst death - for those who are exposed overnight or for long periods of time.

"Due to the incredible work that has seen rough sleeping in Maidstone significantly reduced and the need to comply with current Covid-19 restrictions, it was agreed with our voluntary groups that the traditional winter shelter facilities in Maidstone were outmoded and would not run this year, but anyone requiring emergency accommodation should contact the council for assistance.”

The annual audit of rough sleeping at the start of December found only two people sleeping on the streets across the whole of Maidstone.

Mr Littlemore said: "Our outreach team work hard to identify and help rough sleepers across the borough.

"But if anyone knows of someone who is homeless in the Maidstone area, please contact us."

Deaths on the streets are not limited to the effects of cold – severe weather conditions such as high wind, heavy rain, snow and heatwaves all increase the risk of harm.

Help for those at risk of rough sleeping is available at the council's outreach office in Marsham Street.

Or if help is needed out of office hours, call 01622 602000.

Should anyone find a rough sleeper in the borough of Maidstone, please let MBC know by emailing the Outreach Team at: outreach@maidstone.gov.uk

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