The number of rough sleepers in Wokingham has tripled in two years.
Wokingham Borough Council says that it is aware of six rough sleepers this year, while it was aware of two sleepers two years ago.
It comes as residents have been in contact with the News to speak about their concern about the rise in rough sleepers.
One person who works in the town centre – and didn’t want to be named – said they have ‘definitely seen an increase’ in the number of homeless people, with one appearing outside the Boots store on Market Place in recent weeks.
Wokingham Borough council says that while rough sleeper numbers ‘remain low’, the authority is ‘constantly looking for ways to enhance our services’ to ensure that homelessness cases are ‘rare, brief and non-recurring’.
While Wokingham remains a comparatively affluent area, the rise in cases of homelessness reflects wider national trends.
The 2021 census found a total of 13,955 people were estimated to be living homeless across England and Wales.
The leader of the council Stephen Conway said: “Everyone has the right to a safe place to live.
“Homes are more than just bricks and mortar, they are the foundation for everything in life. We are committed to supporting rough sleepers in the borough through a range of initiatives and services designed to reduce homelessness and help people rebuild their lives.”
The authority says it provides ‘a range of accommodation and support options’ for those it helps.
This includes off-street housing provided through an external programme, as well as working with charity Two Saints to help people recover from the trauma of rough sleeping.
Wokingham Borough Council has also adopted the ‘Housing First’ model which provides immediate housing and intensive support to rough sleepers.
It aims to help individuals access stable accommodation quickly and get support which addresses their specific needs.
The council was asked whether they were aware of somebody rough sleeping outside of the Boots store, but did not comment on the matter.
Charities including Wokingham in Need, Salvation Army and Two Saints provide support for people facing homelessness in the area.
Wokingham in Need was set up by Sue Jackson in 2015, and has since built a new kitchen, cooker and breakfast bar at The Salvation Army.
It has also created a drop-in centre for the homeless and vulnerable on Sturges Road, Wokingham, which is also where the Salvation Army is located.
