An estimated 593 people in Reading are homeless, according to a new Shelter report.

This means around one in 275 people in Reading are homeless.

Shelter has estimated the number of homeless people in each area across the UK, in a report released this week.

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Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Homelessness blights lives and leaves a lasting imprint of trauma, and yet 280,000 people in England are without a home this Christmas. Many are only days away from joining them.

“As well as those facing serious ill-health or even death sleeping rough on our streets this winter, there are thousands of families trapped in grotty emergency B&Bs, with no space for children to sit and eat, let alone play.

“This is the grim truth our new government must confront and do something radical to change.

“With the public’s support we will do everything we can to help people find a safe and stable place to live – no matter how long it takes.”

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The charity has broken down types of homelessness into three categories:

  • Estimated number of people homeless and living in temporary accommodation (TA) arranged by the council (as at March 2019)
  • Estimated number of people homeless and living in TA arranged by them or homeless at home (as at March 2019)
  • Number that are rough sleeping (as at Autumn 2018)

The vast majority – 496 – are homeless and living in TA arranged by the council.

Around 25 people are believed to be sleeping rough, based on last year’s figures, while 72 are estimated to be in TA arranged by themselves or homeless at home.

Slough has the biggest homelessness problem in Berkshire, according to the data, with 1 in 102 people estimated to be homeless. Only Brighton has a higher rate in the south East.

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Shelter have estimated that 280,517 are homeless in the UK, compared to 257,337 in 2016.

This means around one in every 200 people in the UK is homeless.

The figures are based on official statistics published by MHCLG.

What is temporary accommodation?

Council have a duty to provide temporary accommodation for households who have been accepted by the local authority as homeless whilst settled accommodation is found.

Temporary accommodation can include Bed and Breakfasts (B&Bs), hostels and night shelters.

What does homeless at home mean?

You may be ‘homeless at home’ if you are living in uninhabitable conditions such as overcrowded accommodation or if you are staying with family or friends temporarily.