Rough sleeping
St Albans City and District Council is committed to ending Rough Sleeping. We work with our partners to help those sleeping rough get the support they need.
Concerned about a rough sleeper?
If you are concerned about someone sleeping rough, you can make sure they are known to support services by reporting it on the Street Link website. They will contact the Rough Sleeping Outreach Team in St Albans, who will provide them with the help they need.
What can I do to help people sleeping on the streets? Toggle accordion
If you are concerned about someone you’ve seen sleeping rough in the District, you can get help for them by creating an alert through the website thestreetlink.org.uk. Please include a description of the person, the time and the location they have been seen.
If you want to help further, please support your local charities.They are working to provide support for people in the short term, and help them to turn their lives around for the longer term.
What is the Council's response in the winter? Toggle accordion
The Council look to operate an every night winter bed service in partnership with the Open Door charity and City Centre churches.
Why, if help is being provided, do I see people sleeping rough? Toggle accordion
Why people don’t take the help on offer can be complex. Some individuals prefer to do their own thing. Others will not take the help available because of their alcohol and drug use (Open Door does not allow alcohol or drugs on the premises). There are also social reasons why people may choose to hang around consuming alcohol in the City Centre, even those who have homes to go to.
What help is there in the district for people sleeping on the streets?
There are a range of services in St Albans for those sleeping rough. St Albans City and District Council have a dedicated worker for those sleeping rough, who works alongside the Rough Sleeper Outreach Worker, based at the Open Door Night Shelter.
This video explains more on the services of the Open Door Night Shelter.
Other partners working in the district to support those sleeping rough Toggle accordion
- Hightown Open Door Services
- Open Door Charitable Trust
- Centre 33
- Emmaus Hertfordshire
St Albans City and District Council works with Hightown Housing Association, the Open Door Charity and other external partners, to provide practical help for individuals, including overnight accommodation. We work with these, and other external organisations, including St Albans Cathedral, St Albans Community Mental Health Team, Herts County Council and the Probation Service to make sure our responses to individual cases include the most appropriate professionals.
I’m sleeping rough, how can the Council help?
Anyone who is homeless can make a homeless application to the Council. Go to our web page on homelessness for instructions on how to do this.
If you are sleeping rough in St Albans, there are a range of organisations that can provide you with support, alongside a homeless application. Please find information below.
Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP) Toggle accordion
During periods of extreme weather, the Council may run its Severe Weather Emergency Provision (SWEP), during which there will be additional night shelter spaces available. Contact Open Door for further details.
Night Shelters and Drop in Centres Toggle accordion
Centre 33 provides practical support for people who are homeless.
- 01727 830901
- information@centre33.org
Open Door Homelessness Service is a night shelter and daytime drop-in service for vulnerable people in St Albans. The service provides accommodation to up to 12 people each night, and provides them with a hot meal.
- 01727 859113 (after 2pm)
- Drop-in hours: 2:30-4:00 pm, Monday-Friday
Feed operate a food bank from the Vineyard church in St Albans, with no referral required.
- Opening hours: Monday 10am-12pm
- Vineyard Church, Brick Knoll Park, Ashley Road, St Albans, AL1 5UG
The Trussell Trust operate a number of foodbanks throughout the district. To access this you will need foodbank vouchers, which can be obtained through referral by a public body such as a GP or the Citizens Advice Bureau.
- 01727 613019
- info@stalbansdistrict.foodbank.org.uk
Hostel Accommodation Toggle accordion
Emmaus enable people to move on from homelessness, providing work and a home in a supportive, family environment.
- 01727 817294
- community.herts@emmaus.org.uk
YMCA provide hostel accommodation for 16-59 year olds who are in housing need.
- Charter House, Charter Place, Watford, WD17 2RT
- 01923 353600
- 90 Peartree Lane, Welwyn Garden City, AL7 3UL
- 01707 351400
