22 May 2012If you are sleeping rough and the Council cannot provide you with emergency housing there are lots of organisations who are able to assist.
You can access emergency housing from a Hostels (
PDF File 41KB file details)( PDF File 41KB file details). Hostel accommodation varies widely from dormitory style housing to single rooms or flats with shared facilities. There are currently no hostels in the Sevenoaks District and you will need to travel out of the immediate area to take up an offer of this housing. The best time of day to contact a hostel is after 11am each morning to see if they have a vacancy for the following night. If the have no vacancies, you can put your name on their waiting list. All hostels have an assessment process and you will need to complete an application form and have an interview before you will be offered something.
Porchlight is a charitable organisation who support rough sleepers and people who are sofa surfing, or staying on a friend or relatives floor. They can help people to access health services such as a GP, they can provide travel warrants to travel to hostels or important appointments and for those who have nowhere to sleep, they can provide a sleeping bag. To find out more about Porchlight and also their freephone number please visit the Porchlight website.
If you have no money to buy food, a free box of non perishable items, which includes food and basic toiletries may be provided through a charity operated by Sevenoaks Vineyard Church. Sevenoaks Vineyard Church offer a wide range of support which includes help with transport, food and toiletries, befriending, debt advice and second hand furniture.
Rough Sleeping Cold Weather Policy
If the Met Office confirms that the temperature at night will be 0 degrees or below for 3 consecutive nights the Council will put anyone who is rough sleeping into emergency accommodation until the temperature at night rises above freezing. To access this service please contact the Social Housing Duty Housing Officer on 01732 227000.
