Sometimes, you may encounter urgent situations that require immediate intervention: If the rough sleeper is observed to be exhibiting violent behaviour threatening public order and safety, please maintain a safe distance and call 999 for the police.

• In the event of a medical emergency, please call 995 for an ambulance.
• In the event of a mental health crisis, please contact 6389-2222 for IMH Emergency Services.
• If the rough sleeper is observed to be exhibiting violent behaviour threatening public order and safety please maintain a safe distance and call 999 for the police.
• In the event of domestic, spousal or child abuse, please call 1800-777-0000 or click this link for the National Anti-Violence Helpline

Volunteers work with our PEERS Network partners  to engage and support rough sleepers in the community. Opportunities include befriending rough sleepers during our regular outreach sessions (usually held after 9pm) and helping out at Safe Sound Sleeping Places (S3Ps) or Night Cafe.

The PEERS Network believes in the collective power of community action. It is our vision that our community will support and empower rough sleepers and the homeless. The support and help you extend could make all the difference to them. To register your interest as a volunteer, please email MSF_PEERSOffice@msf.gov.sg.

The Partners Engaging and Empowering Rough Sleepers (PEERS) Network was launched in July 2019 to build on the growing partnerships amongst community groups, social service and government agencies. The PEERS Network helps to empower, facilitate, and support community partners in providing assistance to rough sleepers and homeless individuals.

There are over 80 partners within the PEERS Network, who share a common mission: to identify, engage and support rough sleepers and homeless individuals, to help them reintegrate into the community. The Network supports rough sleepers and homeless individuals with their underlying issues, and helps them reconcile with family members, seek employment, apply for financial assistance, and/or secure long-term housing.

PEERS Network partnership

Within MSF, our dedicated team at PEERS Office plays a facilitative role to assist and support community partners. We oversee the delivery of services to rough sleepers, including working with the PEERS Network to enhance shelter options, engaging and reaching out to these vulnerable individuals to ensure they receive prompt assistance.

Transitional Shelters (TS) provide temporary accommodation to homeless individuals and families who have exhausted all other means of accommodation. Onsite social work support is available to address the complex needs of the admitted families/individuals to help them achieve stable long-term housing.

Visit SupportGoWhere | Transitional Shelters for more information on who it is for, what to expect and how to apply.

• Rough sleepers refer to all persons sleeping in public spaces, regardless of their housing circumstances. This includes persons who have no homes or those who have homes but face difficulty in returning home, and hence end up sleeping on the streets.
• Homeless persons refer to those who do not have access to adequate housing. Not all homeless persons may have slept rough, as they could be staying in temporary accommodation (e.g., shelters) while seeking long-term stable housing.

• The reasons for rough sleeping are complex. Most rough sleepers cited multiple reasons for sleeping rough, and these could be disagreements with family, friends or co-habitant, difficulties securing or maintaining housing due to divorce or eviction by landlords, irregular income or debt, desire to be closer to workplaces, or personal preferences.
  
• The PEERS Network work with each rough sleeper to understand their unique needs and provide relevant support. Building trust and addressing these needs takes time.