A membership for the street

News, rights and a warm bed — in one place.

The beacon is a newspaper written for people without a home. Where the next shelter beds are, what your rights are, and which resources open today — printed plainly and updated often.

The beacon hero

What we promise our readers

The beacon is new. We can't show you years of reviews, so here's what we hold ourselves to instead.

Always free to read

No reader ever pays to access shelter info, rights or resources. Memberships fund the print run — they never gate it.

Checked before we print

Bed counts, hours and locations are confirmed with each service before an issue goes out. No stale listings.

Plain, dignified language

Written to be read on a phone, at a bus stop, in the dark — no jargon, no judgement.

Every issue covers the four things that matter most.

The beacon is built around survival information first and the news second. Each section is laid out so you can find what you need in under a minute.

  1. Tonight's beds

    Shelter and warming-centre locations, open hours and how many spaces are likely free — neighbourhood by neighbourhood.

  2. Know your rights

    Plain-English explainers on encampment rules, ID, benefits, police interactions and free legal aid clinics.

  3. Resources near you

    Free meals, showers, clinics, charging points and mail drops — mapped with the next available time slot.

  4. News that affects you

    Policy changes, weather alerts and stories from the community — reported by and for people on the street.

Weekly

Fresh issue every week

Cost to read, always

Supporters keeping it printed

Help keep the lights on for someone tonight.

Whether you're reading to find a bed or supporting so others can, The beacon is here for you. Join us.