Rough sleeping

Rough sleeping – get help and support

If you’re sleeping rough or know someone who is, we can provide advice, help and support.

You can contact the Housing Advice Team:

  • Call: 01429 266522 (during office hours)
  • Out of hours: Call the same number and explain it’s an emergency
  • Visit us at the Civic Centre, Victoria Road, Hartlepool
    • Drop-in times:
      • Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday: 1pm to 4pm
    • No appointment needed

Report someone sleeping rough

If you are a rough sleeper or want to report a rough sleeper, you can report it through:

The StreetLink helpline, run by the charities Homeless Link and Broadway, connects people sleeping rough with local support services. When a member of the public reports a rough sleeper, StreetLink shares the details with the local council in that area. The council will then try to contact the person and offer help, including access to housing and support services.

Severe weather support

When the temperature drops to 0°C or below, we offer emergency overnight accommodation to anyone sleeping rough.

No Second Night Out

We support the No Second Night Out (NSNO) initiative. It aims to make sure no one new to the streets has to sleep rough for more than one night.

The five key principles of NSNO are:

  • identify rough sleepers and help them immediately
  • encourage a community response by helping the public to report when they see rough sleepers
  • assess rough sleepers' needs quickly and safely
  • access emergency accommodation and other services to help support the rough sleeper
  • reconnecting to support, accommodation, family and friends, in this country or elsewhere

Rough sleeping is the most harmful form of homelessness. It can lead to serious health problems, mental illness, and early death. People who sleep rough are more likely to be assaulted and die 30 years earlier than average.