EFFORTS to tackle the town's homelessness crisis have taken a huge leap forward with a significant cash boost.

Reading Borough Council has been awarded £316,000 from a £30m pot from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government.

The funding boost comes at a time when the council has also decided to restructure support services and emergency response to rough sleeping.

The Rough Sleeper Outreach Service, focussed on supporting rough sleepers into accommodation, will be provided by St. Mungo’s, a national charity.

Speaking about the funding boost, Councillor John Ennis, lead member for housing, said: “The council and its partners already have a comprehensive programme to help people sleeping rough in the winter months but in spite of this, nationally and locally rough sleeping has been increasing.

"This extra funding will give us the opportunity to boost these services even further.

“I am pleased rough sleeping has been recognised as a national issue by the Government and I hope we are successful in securing further funding in Reading next year. Tackling complex issues takes time and it is important that this extra support is maintained if we are to make a real difference.”

Last year, the council invested £1.5m to provide support to the growing number of homeless people in the town.

The new model for homelessness support services will include a central hub at Willow House and emergency beds for rough sleepers in freezing temperatures.

The most recent street count revealed 31 rough sleepers in autumn 2017, more than five times the amount recorded in 2010.

Under the changes, additional support services to prevent homelessness help vulnerable will be delivered by Launchpad Reading.

Councillor Rob White (Green) added: "The number of people rough sleeping has been spiralling out of control in recent years.

"It has shot up from six people in 2010 to a shocking 31 people in 2017. Even more distressing is that the charities who support people who are homeless think these numbers are underestimates.

"We welcome the £316,000 from the government, but at the last budget Labour cut £245,000 from homelessness support services.

"When you factor in inflation and the increase in the number of people sleeping rough the council is barely breaking even with the money it has to support each person sleeping rough. This is a disgrace.

"Green councillors will keep opposing uncaring cuts to public services and standing up for the vulnerable."