By Cllr Jason Brock
With the great sense of community we have in Reading, it’s always a priority for us as a Labour Council to ensure we’re looking after everyone as much as we possibly can.
I mentioned a few weeks ago that we’d been successful in bidding for funding to make the streets of Reading safer for everyone, and this has now been followed by the announcement that we’ve also been allocated £2.8m from the national Rough Sleeping Initiative to help those sleeping rough on Reading’s streets.
We have really positive plans for the money and will be delivering a range of support services for those who need them to build on our existing provision.
Looking after those in our Borough who have very little, including not having a roof over their heads, is something that’s already imperative for us.
I’m sure you’ll already be aware of our innovative scheme just off Caversham Road where modular units (each equipped with its own bed, kitchen, bathroom and other equipment) provide more than a shelter – they provide a home, a platform from which support exists to help people move on safely and securely.
I’m grateful to our partner, St Mungo’s, who provide wraparound and intensive support 24 hours a day.
This bold initiative – which has taken 40 people off the streets and into their own safe, warm homes – has received high praise nationally, with the scheme shortlisted for both the Housing and Social Housing recognition, at the Local Government Chronicle Awards and Municipal Journal Awards respectively, this summer.
It also recently saw the Council as a Finalist for an Association for Public Service Excellence award for the Best Housing Regeneration or New Build Initiative.
The new funding will allow us to keep up the momentum of supporting those most in need, including following the Housing First initiative.
Housing First service’s objectives are to contribute to a sustained reduction of rough sleeping in Reading using new approaches, to minimise returns to rough sleeping, and maximise the potential for independence.
We will be working with partners and landlords to make at least 20 properties available for Housing First clients, with support available for up to two and a half years.
Expert assistance for those sleeping rough will also be put in place thanks to the funding, including intensive tenancy sustainment support, a rough sleeping interventions co-ordinator, and specialist support for individuals with particular needs.
The funding will also allow the Council to make enhancements to its current support for rough sleepers, including an extension of a pilot project for ex-offenders to help those exiting prison to find and keep private rented accommodation.
It will also support the Council’s emergency accommodation funding to help get people off the streets, for example during the winter when severe temperatures pose a greater risk to rough sleepers.
This specialist provision should also be viewed alongside our £100m investment in creating over 300 new Council homes – several of which will be completed this winter ready for people on the housing register to move in.
Reading is very much moving forwards in providing accommodation for everyone.
Cllr Jason Brock is the leader of Reading Borough Council and ward member for Southcote
