This report seeks approval for the Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping: A strategy for Reading 2026 – 2031, along with its accompanying Action Plan.

The Committee considered a report seeking approval for the Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping: A strategy for Reading 2026 – 2031, along with its accompanying Action Plan. The draft Strategy set out the Council’s proposed approach to homelessness and rough sleeping over the next five years. The following documents were appended to the report:

Appendix 1   Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping: A strategy for Reading 2026 – 2031

Appendix 2   Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping: An action plan for Reading 2026

Appendix 3   Review of Reading’s previous Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategies

Appendix 4   Understanding Homelessness and Rough Sleeping in Reading: Strategic needs analysis

Appendix 5   Consultation Review and Outcomes

Appendix 7   Online (Go Vocal) Consultation Responses Summary

Appendix 8   Equality Impact Assessment: Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping: A strategy for Reading 2026-31

The report explained that as part of the development of the proposed new Strategy a detailed assessment of achievements arising from Reading’s Preventing Homelessness Strategy 2020 – 2025 and Rough Sleeping Strategy 2019 – 2024 had been completed. A comprehensive Needs Analysis had also been completed, which showed continued population growth, increasing housing costs and sustained pressure on both temporary accommodation and homelessness prevention services.

The report explained that the new Strategy focused on three key priorities:

(1)      early intervention to prevent homelessness and rough sleeping;

(2)      break the cycle of homelessness and rough sleeping when prevention had not been possible; and

(3)      make sure everyone could access safe, settled, and affordable housing.

The report added that the strong partnerships between the Council, health services, probation, community groups, and national agencies like prisons and the Home Office helped to prevent homelessness and support recovery. By sharing information, coordinating referrals, and offering joined-up services advice and support could be tailored to each person’s needs. Improved coordination would also facilitate access to funding, and ensure support was joined-up, inclusive, and reached those who needed it most. People who had experienced homelessness would also be involved from the start, to help with making services easier to understand and access and reflect real customer journeys.

Resolved:

(1)      That the publication of Preventing Homelessness and Rough Sleeping: A strategy for Reading 2026 – 2031 and the accompanying Action Plan be approved;

(2)      That annual updates on delivery against the Strategy and accompanying Action Plan be submitted to the Committee for review.