Emergency Help & Advice
Night Shelters and Hostels
An emergency hostel or nightshelter may be able to provide you with a bed for a few nights if you are homeless and have nowhere to stay. They are usually run by housing associations, charities or the local council.
Most nightshelters provide a free basic place to stay for a few nights and often some food. Nightshelters are a useful option if you don't have money for housing, but are not entitled to claim housing benefit. Many nightshelters are set up temporarily in churches, offices or schools that aren't being used. The accommodation is usually shared.
Hostels are usually less basic and will ask you to pay. In some places you may get your own room but in most you will have to share a bedroom with someone of the same sex. Most hostels don't accept couples, but some do.
Emergency hostels may have shared facilities such as kitchens and bathrooms. Some hostels provide meals but you usually have to pay for them. You can be asked to leave if you fall behind with your payments.
Direct access hostels will accept people at the door if they have room, but it's best to phone first to check. You might be turned away if you arrive when the hostel is full.
Some hostels only help certain groups of people, such as:
- single young people
- people with drug or alcohol addictions
- people with mental health problems
- people who have been sleeping on the streets for a long time
For more information on shelters and hostels in your area, contact the free Shelter Helpline on 0808 800 4444.
Northampton Emergency Night Shelter
Northampton Night Shelter is for men only and open 9pm unitl 9am. It is based at the former British Rail Sports & Social Club in St Andrews Road, Northampton. It is not a direct access shelter. People will only be admitted if they have been risk assessed and meet the criteria. Please see www.northampton.gov.uk for more details.
Street Outreach Team
If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, please tell the Street Outreach Workers about it. They will respond to your report and locate the person who is sleeping rough and help them access support and accommodation.
Street Outreach Team (01604) 837344 or (01604) 837345 or email them at outreachteam@northampton.gov.uk or report via the Streetlink website
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP)
SWEP operates in Northampton every winter. It operates when the temperature falls between freezing and is to remain freezing for a period of at least three consecutive nights.
If there is someone who is sleeping rough and isnt eligible for the Emergency Nightshelter they can register for SWEP. To be considered for SWEP ther person will need to meet with a member of the Street Outreach Team (details above) to go through a risk assessment.
