Weather conditions such as excessive heat and cold can pose a risk to the health, safety and wellbeing of people sleeping rough. The Extreme Weather Response supports people rough sleeping during periods of severe or extreme weather across South Australia.
If you are sleeping rough, or would like to know what supports are available during an activation in your area for people sleeping rough, call Homeless Connect SA on 1800 003 308 (24 hours, 7 days).
Types of responses
There are three types of responses that can be activated:
- Code Red for severe or extreme hot weather
- Code Blue for severe or extreme cold weather
- Severe Weather for severe or extreme events such as storms.
What activates a Code Red, Code Blue or Severe Weather response?
A response is activated based on weather forecasting from across South Australia. We work in close partnership with Homeless Connect, Specialist Homelessness Services, the Bureau of Meteorology and the State Emergency Service.
When a response is activated
When an Extreme Weather Response is activated, sa.gov.au displays the latest information about the current activation and the supports that may be available for people sleeping rough.
During an activation, homelessness services (and the organisations they partner with) will try to contact people known to be sleeping rough to make them aware of available supports.
Responses vary by region, location and the services available in local communities.
During an activation, homelessness services and their partners may provide a range of services and supports, including:
- increased daytime operation hours
- increased staffing
- extended street outreach
- increased promotion of existing services
- practical aid such as clothing, blankets, water, food and sunscreen
- safe places to temporarily shelter during the day.
There are occasions when weather conditions are so extreme that they may severely affect the health, safety and wellbeing of people sleeping rough. This can include very high or very low overnight temperatures, often combined with excessive rain or high winds.
During extreme weather events that include such conditions, DHS may also recommend that homelessness services assist people sleeping rough to access overnight shelter or accommodation in certain circumstances and locations.
Contact Homeless Connect SA to find out what is available to support people sleeping rough during an activation in your region.
Summer safety
The Bureau of Meteorology monitors for heatwave conditions over the next 7 days and publishes the latest heatwave warnings and updates on its website.
The SA State Emergency Service (SES) issues a State Heatwave Summary every day during the summer months at 4:00 pm. It provides a heatwave forecast for the relevant days in list and map formats.
The SES also publishes a range of information about how to stay safe during heatwaves.
SA Health has Healthy in the Heat resources that include fact sheets in English and other languages.
Winter safety
The Bureau of Meteorology monitors for cold and rainy conditions over a period of 7 days and publishes the latest warnings and alerts about significant weather events on its website.
The SA State Emergency Service (SES) issues a current warning list that is updated every day during the winter months at 4.00 pm. It provides a heavy rainfall/cold snap forecast for the relevant days in list and map formats.
The SES also publishes information about:
- when to call the SES and when to call 000 (or a non-emergency contact)
- how to prepare for heavy rainfall and floods
- how to prepare for storms.
4-day forecasts from the Bureau
The Bureau of Meteorology provides a 4-day forecast for South Australia, including warnings and observations.
Review of the Extreme Weather Response for people sleeping rough
The Department of Human Services has completed a review of the Rough Sleeper Extreme Weather Response, also known as Code Red and Code Blue. The review looked at how the current response works and whether it is meeting the needs of people sleeping rough during severe or extreme weather.
Why the review was undertaken
The review began in 2025. There were concerns that the current model was no longer keeping up with more frequent extreme weather, growing demand for service or the changing needs of people experiencing homelessness. The review was informed by people with lived and living experience of homelessness, Specialist Homelessness Services, local councils, emergency services, health organisations and other system partners.
What the review found
The review found that the current model is an important safeguard for people sleeping rough during extreme weather. Informed by evidence, lived experience, and frontline service delivery expertise, the review found the current model needs reform to continue to meet the needs of people sleeping rough.
Key findings from the review include:
- People sleeping rough are at a greater health risk compared to the general population in severe-to-extreme weather.
- Current activation thresholds are not consistently aligned to health risks of people sleeping rough and require some adjustment.
- Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of extreme weather events.
- A more proactive, coordinated and risk-informed statewide response is needed.
What the review recommended
The review recommended four priority reforms:
- Strengthen a dedicated statewide team to oversee and coordinate the response
- Introducing a simpler and more risk-informed activation model
- Improving communication and planning before each extreme weather season
- Strengthening local place-based coordination and integration across the homelessness system.
These recommendations aim to create a more consistent, coordinated and person-centred response for people sleeping rough during extreme weather.
Next steps
DHS will convene an implementation group to deliver program reforms, including important changes ahead of Code Red season 2026:
- Aligning activation thresholds to health risks, climate risks and the needs of people sleeping rough
- Simplifying activations including improving communication for people sleeping rough, and the services that support them
- Strengthen place-based responses for during extreme weather conditions, including support for pre-season preparations.
Rough Sleeper Extreme Weather Response report
For more information or to request a copy of the review please email: dhshomelessnesssystemspartnerships@sa.gov.au
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Contact the Extreme Weather Response team
For more information or to request a copy of the review please email: dhshomelessnesssystemspartnerships@sa.gov.au