What Is a Night Shelter?
A night shelter is a type of emergency accommodation that provides a warm, safe place to sleep for people who would otherwise be sleeping rough. Unlike longer-term supported housing, night shelters are typically available on a night-by-night basis and are designed to provide immediate relief from the dangers of rough sleeping rather than long-term housing solutions. They are an essential part of the homelessness services landscape in Brighton.
How Do Night Shelters Work?
Night shelters usually open in the early evening and provide a meal, shower facilities, a safe place to sleep, and breakfast in the morning before guests leave. Some operate year-round; others are seasonal, particularly during the winter months when rough sleeping is most dangerous. Many are run by faith organisations, charities, or a combination of both. In Brighton, a network of churches and community groups work together to provide shelter spaces during the coldest months.
Who Can Access a Night Shelter?
In general, night shelters are open to anyone sleeping rough, though some may have specific criteria — for example, being sober upon entry, or being known to local services. Some shelters are women-only or have separate spaces for women to ensure safety. The process of accessing a shelter usually involves presenting to a designated location or contacting an outreach team.
What Night Shelters Can and Cannot Do
Night shelters provide immediate safety and basic needs — warmth, food, hygiene, and rest. They can also be a point of contact where people are connected to longer-term services, including housing support, healthcare, and benefits advice. However, they are not a substitute for stable housing. Moving from a night shelter to secure accommodation requires access to support services, affordable housing, and often significant time.
Night Shelters in Brighton
Brighton’s network of night shelters has provided a lifeline to many rough sleepers over the years. Seaside CIC works alongside night shelter providers to ensure that people who use emergency services are connected to the support they need to move toward stable housing.
Seaside CIC works with night shelters and other services in Brighton to help rough sleepers. Contact us to find out more.
