Extra emergency beds opened in Swindon as £405,000 funding boosts support for rough sleepers

An extra 10 emergency bed spaces have been made available in Swindon as part of a £405,000 investment aimed at helping people sleeping rough find somewhere safe to stay.

The additional accommodation is being provided every night at The Haven Day Centre, giving more people experiencing homelessness access to shelter and specialist support.

Swindon Borough Council has confirmed that the extra spaces, alongside increased outreach work, will be available throughout the year rather than being limited to the colder winter months.

The expansion is being funded through the Government’s Routes Off The Street programme, which has awarded the council £405,000 to strengthen its work with people experiencing rough sleeping.

More than just somewhere to sleep

For someone living on the streets, finding somewhere safe to spend the night can be the first step towards getting their life back on track.

The Haven Day Centre already provides a range of practical services for people experiencing homelessness, including meals, hot drinks, showers and laundry facilities.

Visitors can also use phones and computers, speak to support workers and receive advice about their circumstances.

The additional emergency beds mean more people can access accommodation while working with specialist teams to address the problems that may have contributed to them becoming homeless.

That support can involve finding longer-term housing, accessing healthcare, managing financial difficulties or dealing with other personal challenges.

The council says its approach is based on understanding each person’s circumstances rather than treating every case in the same way.

Rough sleeper count carried out across Swindon

The announcement coincides with the council’s annual rough sleeper count, which took place on Friday 23 October.

The exercise is carried out nationally and provides a snapshot of how many people are sleeping rough on a particular night.

In 2025, 12 people were recorded as sleeping rough in Swindon.

The latest count will help the council understand the current situation and plan its response over the coming year.

However, the figures do not represent everyone who experiences homelessness. People moving between temporary accommodation, staying with friends or facing the possibility of losing their home may not appear in the count.

Council officers stress that their work continues throughout the year, regardless of the number recorded on a single night.

Outreach teams working directly with people on the streets

Swindon’s Rough Sleeper Team regularly visits areas across the town to speak with people who are sleeping outside.

The aim is to build trust, understand individual circumstances and help people access accommodation and other services.

Support can include a dedicated case officer, a personal housing plan and emergency accommodation while longer-term arrangements are considered.

The team also responds to information from members of the public, partner organisations and reports submitted through StreetLink.

According to the council, everyone identified as sleeping rough in Swindon has been offered accommodation.

That does not necessarily mean everyone has accepted an offer or moved into housing, but the council says it will continue trying to engage with those who need help.

Preventing homelessness before it happens

Alongside its work with people already sleeping rough, the council’s Homelessness Prevention Team supports residents who are worried about losing their homes.

This can include people facing eviction, experiencing difficulties with their landlord or dealing with a breakdown in family relationships.

In some cases, officers can help resolve problems before someone becomes homeless.

That might involve speaking with landlords, working with family members or helping residents understand their housing options.

The council has a legal responsibility to provide homelessness prevention and relief assistance to eligible residents.

By intervening earlier, officers hope to reduce the number of people reaching the point where emergency accommodation becomes their only option.

‘Behind every person sleeping rough is an individual story’

Councillor Matty Courtliff, Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, said the additional support recognised that homelessness was rarely caused by a single issue.

“Behind every person sleeping rough is an individual story and often a complex set of circumstances that have led them to that point,” he said.

“That’s why it is so important that support is compassionate, practical and tailored to people’s needs.”

He also highlighted the importance of helping residents before their housing situation reaches crisis point.

“Preventing homelessness is just as important as responding to it. Our teams work every day with residents who are at risk of losing their home, helping them access support before they reach crisis point.”

Councillor Courtliff urged anyone concerned about their own housing situation, or worried about someone sleeping rough, to seek assistance.

“Whether someone is already sleeping rough or worried about becoming homeless, help is available and I’d encourage anyone who needs support, or who is concerned about somebody sleeping rough, to get in touch as soon as possible.”

Where to get help in Swindon

People who are homeless, facing homelessness or concerned about losing their accommodation can contact Swindon Borough Council’s Homelessness Prevention Team.

With additional accommodation now available and outreach work continuing across the town, the council hopes more people will be able to move away from rough sleeping and towards stable housing.

For those facing homelessness, the advice is to seek help as early as possible rather than waiting until they have nowhere left to stay.