READING Borough Council has received new funding to help support those sleeping rough in the town.
The council announced it has received more than £760,000 from the Department of Levelling Up, Housing, and Communities through the Rough Sleeping Accommodation Programme.
It will mean they are able to continue the delivery of wrap-around support for its 50 Move On homes across the borough.
These include 40 modular homes on a site on Caversham Road, and 10 at the Nova Project site for vulnerable women.
It was confirmed at a Housing, Neighbourhoods, and Leisure Committee on Wednesday, November 8.
As well as the funding, the committee also green lit the Housing Department to be able to enter into a 12-month contract to provide care and services for residents at the sites from April 2024.
It comes after the establishment of a new ‘navigator’ role by the council, aimed at providing support for those sleeping rough who do not hold immigration status and with limited funds and guide them to relevant resources.
It also follows the expansion of their Houses First service, which has made at least 20 properties available for residents with multiple and complex needs.
The initiatives will see further support provided for the modular homes, which represent a £2m investment into the site and opened in December 2021.
The council has worked with St Mungo’s to continue to provide bespoke support through its modular homes and Nova projects
Reading Borough Council’s lead councillor for housing, Ellie Emberson, said: “The 50 move on homes we offer are a crucial part of our comprehensive measures to help those who are rough sleeping and form part of the 249 bed spaces we have at hand for those found rough sleeping.
“I’m delighted that we have further funding to continue to make such a meaningful difference to the lives of those who need help the most.
“An important aspect of this is being able to provide wraparound support services to help people get back on their feet.
“Both projects are success stories for Reading Council and more importantly, real people who have struggled with rough sleeping– it is imperative we continue offering this provision and I am delighted we now can.”
