The cold weather campaign for 2026-2027 will run for 165 nights, concluding on 15 April, and aims to offer accommodation, meals, basic healthcare, and psychosocial support to users. The initiative prioritises access and extended stays for the most vulnerable groups, including young people, women, the elderly, and those with severe health conditions.
Each participant will receive personalised social intervention aimed at improving their quality of life and promoting their autonomy. The operation involves a team of 58 professionals, alongside a specific coordination team to manage access to the campaign.
Collaboration comes from various municipal services, including the Municipal Police, SAMUR-PC, Madrid Salud, the Municipal Transport Company of Madrid (EMT Madrid), street teams, and volunteers from Madrid.
Inma Sanz, the Deputy Mayor of Madrid and municipal spokesperson, along with José Fernández, the delegate for Social Policies, Family and Equality, visited the SAMUR Social headquarters, Darío Pérez Madera, to observe the first night of the cold weather campaign.
This initiative enhances support for homeless individuals or those facing social exclusion during the colder months, when low temperatures exacerbate their situation. The campaign will operate from 2 November to 15 April, providing stable accommodation and comprehensive social assistance to users.
SAMUR Social coordinates the operation, which will offer 472 daily places distributed as follows: 150 at the Emergency Reception Centre Pinar de San José, 142 at the Vallecas Emergency Reception Centre, 30 at the Municipal Social Emergency Centre, and 150 in pensions. An additional 24 places will be available on days of particularly adverse weather, such as cold waves, across 90 days.
As in previous years, priority will be given to the most vulnerable groups: individuals under 30, those over 65, people with severe health issues, those with low autonomy, and women at increased risk of gender-based violence while homeless. The Pinar de San José facility will also provide 50 daytime places for those in greater need, offering daytime social support in addition to overnight accommodation.
This year’s operation involves 58 professionals, with a dedicated team created to enhance user support and coordination among the various services involved. The EMT Madrid provides free transport for users to the centres, while the Municipal Police assists in the orderly collection of individuals at designated points.
Buses heading to the Emergency Reception Centre Pinar de San José depart at 19:00 and 20:00 from the Lusitana interchange (Plaza Elíptica), while those going to the Vallecas centre leave at 19:30 and 20:30 from Atocha. Morning return trips are scheduled for 09:00 and 10:00.
The cold weather campaign also involves SAMUR-Protection Civil, which responds to health emergencies, and Madrid Salud, which conducts specific vaccination campaigns and facilitates direct coordination with the Institute of Addictions. Additionally, street teams assist in identifying and referring potential users, while Volunteers for Madrid provide companionship to users at the centres.
