ALMOST half a million pounds of new funding will be spent in West Berkshire on reducing rough sleeping from April.

The government has given £475,000 to West Berkshire Council as part of the Rough Sleeping Initiative Fund. 

The extra money is on top of what was already planned to be spent. It will go towards better prevention and early intervention, and a wider range of housing options. 

READ MORE: Rough sleeping funding boost for Reading

Councillor Hilary Cole, lead for housing and homelessness, said: “We are delighted that our bid was successful. The cash will enable us to continue the work we did in 2018–19 and this financial year to help more rough sleepers into safe accommodation. 

“There is no doubt that there will always be challenges around homelessness and rough sleeping, but the Rough Sleeping Initiative funding is integral to ensuring the significant work already underway can continue”. 

The extra funding was welcomed by Erica Gassor, trustee and general sectrary of West Berkshire Homeless, and Andrew Sharp, chief officer at Healthwatch West Berkshire.

Ms Gassor said: “West Berkshire Homeless, who are supported so excellently by their volunteers and the community, are delighted to be giving proactive support to the council in their initiatives to continue to reduce rough sleeping our area.

“There is still so much to do, but it can be achieved by everyone working together.” 

Andrew Sharp, chief officer at Healthwatch West Berkshire, said: “I’m very pleased the government has recognised the positive effects of the joint working across the voluntary and statutory sectors, and the real changes it has made to some of the most vulnerable.

“We continue to campaign to end involuntary rough sleeping in West Berkshire as soon as possible.”