WITH Storm Barra hitting the UK today and tomorrow, residents are urged to help the homeless population to get them out of the cold weather.
The Rucksack Project Barnsley has released an appeal to help place homeless people in emergency accommodation during the bad weather.
The Met Office predicts that temperatures will reach as low as 3c today, with a strong chance of wind and rain caused by Storm Barra.
A spokesperson for the Rucksack Project Barnsley said: “If you see someone you believe is sleeping rough, please call the council's housing service so that they can be placed in emergency accommodation via the Severe Weather Emergency Protocol.
“When calling on someone’s behalf, please do so when you are with that person, as the operator will need to take some details about the person in question.
“Whilst we appreciate the thought and concern when people contact us about potential rough sleepers, unfortunately it is then not so easy to provide the required level of assistance.
“We may not receive enough details to begin speaking to BMBC about accommodation arrangements, and there is no guarantee the person will still be in the same place when a volunteer, or members of BMBC’s housing team, reach the reported location.”
To phone Barnsley Council's Homeless and Housing Advice Service call 01226 773870 or the out of hours number on 01226 787789.
