40 rough sleepers in Reading given homes this Christmas
Reading Borough Council's ÂŁ2 million modular homes investment has been completed
Last updated 9th Dec 2021
Reading Borough Council has provided a home for 40 people who had previously been sleeping rough and had been staying in B&Bs to protect them during the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ÂŁ2 million investment to install temporary modular homes on Caversham Road was built over the summer with the first ten people moving in last week.
It is hoped that the new homes will provide an opportunity for people to rebuild their lives and break the cycle of rough sleeping.
Homeless charity St Mungo's will provide 24/7 support for residents and help with any issues that may be troubling them.
Residents are also being encouraged to engage with the Recovery College which provides support for volunteering and getting into work.
They also help connect people with the appropriate services to deal with issues such as mental health, substance misuse and social isolation.
Jamie, 35, has lived on and off the streets for the last 20 years in London and Reading and was one of the first to move into the new community last week. He said:
“My first night was lovely; I have heating I can control, a proper bed, a fridge. This is a dream for all homeless people.
It was a weird feeling being inside after so long sleeping outside. Every Borough should have a project like this. I’m like a kid at Christmas.
This is the start of my life, welcome to paradise.”
Each home has a new kettle, microwave, toaster, tv, crockery, bedding and private bathrooms. A laundry room with new washing machines has also been installed.
In keeping with the goal to become a carbon-neutral town by 2030, the council pods have been built with the environment in mind.
The homes maximise energy efficiency and are well insulated and heated via electric panel heaters.
LED lighting is used internally and externally and the windows and doors are triple glaed.
The extensive support for residents on-site is thanks to the successful bid won by the council for funding from the Ministry of Housing.
The £2.3m award enabled the Council to commission St Mungo’s to provide the bespoke support required for those with a rough sleeping history for both the modular homes project and the Nova project, another innovative scheme put in place by the Council specifically for women.
The temporary modular housing on the Caversham Road site is just one of the Council’s plans to deliver over 300 new homes in the borough during the next three years.
This will include sheltered housing, homes for key workers and supported accommodation for those with mental health needs, as well as general housing to help reduce the Council’s housing waiting list.
Reading Borough Council’s Lead Member for Housing Ellie Emberson said:
“It is so meaningful that we are able to give 40 residents who have been rough sleeping around Reading the opportunity to have their own place with valuable on-site support.
We know homelessness needs a partnership approach, through our joint work with St Mungos we are offering high-quality transitional housing with the needed support.
This is an innovative way to tackle homelessness with new residents already sharing positive comments about the opportunity this presents them by getting off the street”.
Matt Rudd, Regional Head at St Mungo’s, said:
“We are very excited to launch this project. The site is looking really nice and will be a community for people to get back on their feet.
The site is managed 24-7, with laundry facilities, a recycling area and some raised beds where we hope residents will fully utilise and grow their own vegetables.
We have high hopes for the success of the Caversham Road site.”