Ten more emergency beds for rough sleepers at The Haven in Swindon

Swindon Borough Council carried out its annual rough sleeper count on Friday 23 October 2026 and, the same day, set out the extra help available for people sleeping on the town's streets. The count is a snapshot every council has to take. In 2025 it found 12 people in Swindon. The 2026 figure was not in the announcement.

What has changed?

The Haven Day Centre, a local charity for people experiencing homelessness, now has 10 additional emergency bed spaces every night.

The council said the wider support is funded by a £405,000 grant from the Government's Routes Off The Street programme. It includes:

• a Rough Sleeper team that goes out around Swindon, offering each person a dedicated case officer, a personal housing plan and emergency accommodation
• a Homelessness Prevention Team working with people at risk of losing their home, often by talking to landlords and family members

The council said every person identified as sleeping rough had been offered accommodation.

Councillor Matty Courtliff, Cabinet Member for Housing and Property, said: "Behind every person sleeping rough is an individual story".

How to get help or report someone sleeping rough

• Call the Homelessness Prevention Team on 01793 445500.
• Visit the team at Beckhampton Street, SN1 2JH. No appointment is needed.
• Tell StreetLink about someone you have seen sleeping rough.

Source: Swindon Borough Council.