Charity sees 'tremendous increase' in homelessness

The number of households living in temporary accommodation has risen by a fifth in Berkshire, according to new government figures.

The highest increase was seen in west Berkshire, where figures jumped from 100 to 163 households last year.

Erica Gassor, from West Berkshire Homeless in Newbury, says the charity had seen a "tremendous increase" in the number of people approaching them.

West Berkshire Council said it was experiencing "increasing pressures" on housing and homelessness services but added supporting residents at risk of homelessness remained a "top priority".

The latest statistics, which looked at homelessness in the three months to September 2025, showed rough sleeping had fallen across the county.

The government says it is investing more than £50m to help tackle the issue, including £37m on the Ending Homelessness in Communities Fund, which it says "will supercharge the work of voluntary, community and faith groups".

But Gassor from the community-based charity set up to assist people back into a home told BBC Radio Berkshire she was approached by people five times a week.

In England, a local authority only has a duty to provide accommodation under a homeless application to someone who has or might have a priority need, such as a pregnant woman or someone at risk of domestic abuse.

Gassor said: "A lot of people don't immediately qualify and the council can't do anything with them because they aren't priority according to the law of the land.

"It means a lot of people who have faced eviction from landlords and have become homeless have gone to the council, don't meet the criteria of the problems, and therefore they have nowhere to sleep apart from a tent.

"When the council rings us as a very small independent charity and says 'can you help this person, we can't', it's really difficult.

"We have seen a tremendous increase in winter of people coming to us asking for accommodation. It's been dreadful."

West Berkshire Council said demand for help had risen "significantly" in recent years and it was seeing a "corresponding increase" in the number of households requiring temporary accommodation.

The authority said it continued to work hard to reduce its reliance on bed and breakfast accommodation by expanding the range and quality of temporary housing available locally.

It has also increased provision through projects such as the refurbishment of an empty care home to provide emergency accommodation for families over the past year.

A spokesperson for the council added: "Supporting residents at risk of homelessness remains a top priority for the council.

"We will continue working closely with partners and investing in local solutions to ensure that those who need our help can access safe and appropriate accommodation."