READING Borough Council has seen a boost of more than £120,000 to its fund earmarked for tackling rough sleeping in the borough.
Reading was one of 115 local councils to benefit from a slice of an overall £10m national fund which recognises the pressures local authorities are under to increase emergency accommodation and safeguard vulnerable people at risk from sleeping rough during the winter.
The council has announced it has directed the funds to a number of initiatives, including Severe Weather Emergency Protocol housing, the Bed for a Night initiative, and the creation of warm spaces in January.
The provision of emergency accommodation is essential during periods Severe Weather Emergency Protocol, which is triggered by forecast temperatures of 0 degrees or below for three or more consecutive night.
The council works alongside charity partner St Mungo’s to deliver the program
The Bed for a Night initiative is a winter shelter run by the FAITH Christian Group, and is one of a number of services commissioned, which also included The Salvation Army, Reading YMCA ,and Launchpad Reading.
In total, 249 bed spaces (in addition to the SWEP response) are offered across its Homelessness Support Services to help single people and couples who are found rough sleeping, or at risk of rough sleeping.
The council has until the end of March next year to allocate and spend the funds.
