Dozens of homeless people in Reading have been housed but many others could still be on the street.

The government told councils they had until the end of last week to accommodate rough sleepers amid the coronavirus outbreak.

Reading Borough Council (RBC) successfully placed 60 homeless people in accommodation on Friday, March 27 following the government’s directive the day before.

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But the council revealed eleven offers of B&B accommodation were rejected by homeless people “for a range of reasons” while another eleven people accepted the offer but did not show up.

A RBC spokesman said: “The council is working with partners to ensure every single rough sleeper in Reading has the option of a roof over their heads and we  continue to work hard to support and protect people.

“Services across the council, commissioned homelessness support services, the voluntary sector, private sector landlords and local B&B businesses have all contributed to us being able to make offers of accommodation to those who need it”.”

Those who were offered B&B accommodation include:

  • People who have slept rough in recent weeks
  • Those that were accommodated in the temporary winter night shelter
  • People who were accommodated in supported accommodation in shared rooms.

RBC said it will continue engage with those it was unable to house.

The government has given Reading £3.8 million out of a £1.6 billion funding pot for local authorities to tackle the pressures of Covid-19.

Family of four can stay in temporary accommodation for now

A mother and her three children, living in Reading, who The Mirror reported faced sleeping on the streets, have been granted an extension to their temporary accommodation until at least June this year.

The woman, a trained firefighter and telecommunications operator travelled with her three children from an African Commonwealth country in December to begin British Army training.

But she was left without work when the government paused the selection process because of the deaths of two other Commonwealth recruits and is now stranded in the UK after her home country closed its borders.

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The family, living in Reading, have been in temporary accommodation since March 20, provided by Brighter Future’s for Children, which runs children’s services for the council.

A RBC spokesman said: “The council doesn’t want to see anybody sleeping rough, particularly at this difficult time.

“Whilst that temporary arrangement was due to end tomorrow, in light of current circumstances accommodation has been extended until June. We will continue to monitor the position after that.”

Who to contact if you are sleeping rough or want to help someone on the street

People sleeping rough or at risk of homelessness, or organisations supporting someone who is, should contact the council’s homelessness prevention team on 0118 937 2165.

Alternatively, they can email housing.advice@reading.gov.uk.

If you see someone bedded down and sleeping rough, you should refer them to Reading’s Street Outreach Service via www.streetlink.org.uk.