We provide year-round specialist support for people who are homeless or sleeping rough. We provide services to help do this, and support and commission others.
During the coronavirus pandemic we provided safe, self-contained accommodation for more than 300 people who were at risk of sleeping rough.
We also provide shelter for people who would otherwise have to sleep out in Cambridge in severe weather.
Severe Weather Emergency Protocol
Cambridge City council has activated the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) until Friday 22 November 2024.
All rough sleepers will be offered accommodation regardless of recourse to public funds. Council staff and the Street Outreach Team will be reaching out to offer accommodation.
If you come across a rough sleeper and would like to let us know, please visit the StreetLink website.
Help us locate the rough sleeper by using what3words. This can help our teams find people quicker and more accurately.
Winter provision
In previous years, we provided emergency accommodation under the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP). We accommodated SWEP guests in large, shared rooms for short periods of time.
In 2021, we launched our new Winter Provision scheme. Unlike SWEP, a Winter Provision bed is available to a rough sleeper for as long as they need it. And each resident will have their own room, so they can protect themselves from coronavirus.
We will support every resident to move on into longer-term accommodation.
Access to accommodation
Winter Provision accommodation is available to individuals sleeping rough in Cambridge.
We fund various support agencies to work with people on the street to help them into accommodation.
The agencies approach anybody identified as being on the street to encourage them to make use of a Winter Provision bed.
If you need to access this additional winter accommodation, contact us or the CGL Street Outreach team.
If you are from another district and you are concerned about sleeping rough or being unable to self-isolate, please contact your own local authority.
How you can help
If you see someone sleeping rough, you can inform the CGL Street Outreach team on 01223 366292 or via the Streetlink website. You can also direct them to our team of advisers during our housing advice opening hours.
In an out-of-hours housing emergency you can call us on 0330 053 8109.
If you see someone who is in need of immediate medical attention, call 999 or 111 (with option 2 for a mental health crisis).
Street Aid
There are many excellent charities in Cambridge who work with us to help people off the streets.
One way you can help is by giving to Street Aid, a charitable fund that helps people who have experienced rough sleeping to access support, accommodation and employment. You can donate on the Street Aid webpage, by text message, or at our contactless giving point at Mandela House.
