Crystal Palace will be reopening its extreme weather emergency shelter for rough sleepers at Selhurst Park for the second year running.

The scheme is run in partnership with Croydon Council, who will be helping by turningthe Glaziers lounge at Selhurst Park into an overnight shelter when temperatures fall below freezing.

10 rough sleepers can be housed per night, with volunteers including Club staff and specialists from the council’s homelessness services assisting to offer a camp bed for the night, a hot evening meal, breakfast and washing facilities before the space is converted back for normal club use each morning.

Rough sleepers will also be offered advice by staff from Croydon Council’s Gateway homelessness prevention service and its specialist outreach support workers from Thames Reach, who will try to help the guests find long-term alternatives to rough sleeping. When Selhurst Park is unavailable because of scheduled home matches, and over the Christmas period, the council will continue to refer rough sleepers to other emergency shelters in Croydon and central London.

Crystal Palace Football Club chief executive Phil Alexander said: “Following the success of the scheme last winter, we are re-opening our emergency shelter to help those most in need. We are working in collaboration with Croydon Council and our objective is not only to give rough sleepers a bed for the night, but also to help get them off the streets. Last year, we were able to find jobs for two people referred to the shelter.

“We are very grateful to all the volunteers and club staff who give their time to make this happen and to Sainsbury’s Crystal Palace for donating food.”