Sleeping rough or street homeless

In Croydon, there are several agencies and accommodation providers offering advice, support, and shelter to help get rough sleepers off the streets.

Getting support 

Our outreach team works with rough sleepers to refer them to partner organisations, and help them find accommodation and support.

If you are rough sleeping, make a homelessness and housing advice application, we will assess your needs and discuss available options with you. If you come to our office, someone will be able to help you fill in the form. 

If you have nowhere to sleep tonight we recommend you come to our office.

You can access local support services on Streetlink.

If you are connected to another professional agency such as the prison service, a hospital, or a youth offender institution, they might have a responsibility to make a referral if you are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. 

Call us

Telephone: 020 8726 6000.

Lines are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

Come to our office

Please visit access Croydon, Bernard Weatherhill House, 8 Mint Walk, Croydon, CR0 1EA.

Services are open Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays) 9 - 4pm.

Outside of these hours, please call 020 8726 6000 if you are experiencing a housing-related emergency.  

What happens during cold weather

The number of people sleeping on our streets is increasing and during the winter months or periods of extreme heat, rough sleepers face additional health risks. With the rising number of rough sleepers, we remain committed to protecting the most vulnerable in the community.

There is a Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP) in Croydon. This protocol comes into force during periods of severe weather (0°c or below), and emergency accommodation is provided to all rough sleepers during this time.

During periods of extreme heat, the H-SWEP protocol will be applied. Our teams will provide enhanced outreach to rough sleepers and assess their needs as appropriate.

We also alert Croydon residents when SWEP is activated via social media.

What the outreach team do 

The outreach team and rough sleeping team are the co-ordination point for engaging with rough sleepers and partners during SWEP. 

• the team will check our database and refer rough sleepers to suitable accommodation 
• when temperatures rise and SWEP is deactivated, we ensure no one leaves their temporary accommodation without a support plan 
• we work with partners and create long-term solutions for rough sleeping

Please email swep@croydon.gov.uk.

Make a homeless and housing advice application 

See the homelessness and housing advice application step-by-step process.