Reading Secures Extra Funding to Tackle Rough Sleeping

A SUCCESSFUL bid for extra funding to tackle rough sleeping has resulted in a £647,099 award to Reading Borough Council.

The cash for 2020/21 comes from the government’s Rough Sleeping Initiative (RSI)/Rapid Re-housing Pathway fund and will help the Council continue to run a comprehensive package of services to help people rough sleeping off the streets. Reading has received RSI funding for the last two years which has allowed the Council to create new Homelessness Support Services; fund extra street outreach workers; extend the operation of the FAITH Christian Group night shelter; provide additional emergency bed spaces and fund a rough sleeper co-ordinator and additional officers to support people into, and to sustain, independent accommodation. The Council’s Housing team will look at the current services and plan the most effective way of reducing rough sleeping numbers with the funding available over the year ahead.

Cllr John Ennis, Reading’s Lead Councillor for Housing, said:

“Reading Borough Council commits a lot of resources into preventing homelessness and supporting rough sleepers into accommodation and this government funding is very welcome news. “The award will allow us to continue many of the important initiatives which have been created with the help of previous years’ funding. “Homelessness and rough sleeping continue to be a major concern both locally and nationally and I am pleased the Council has secured this funding to keep up this essential work with its partners.”