Homelessness

Christmas opening hours 2025

The Civic Offices will be closed from 5pm on 24 December until 9am on 2 January 2026
We are operating an emergency service on 29, 30 and 31 December for those homeless or at risk of homelessness. Please phone 0118 937 2165 or email housing.advice@reading.gov.uk on these days.
If you are a victim of Domestic Abuse and in immediate danger, please call 999. You can also contact the National Domestic Abuse Helpline for refuge accommodation on 0808 2000 247.
If you become homeless and have nowhere to stay outside of office hours (before 9am and after 5pm), on weekends or on bank holidays (which are 25 and 26 December, and 1 January) please call our out-of-hours Emergency Duty Service on 01344 351 999.
Please note our out-of-hours service takes over our phone calls at 3pm on 24 December and 3pm on 31 December.

Advice for agencies

Advice for agencies on support available for customers, the Duty To Refer responsibilities and information on the Homelessness Reduction Act.

Homeless or rough sleeping

Advice for those who are already homeless, who to contact and advice for those who may be rough sleeping.

At risk of losing your home

Advice on what steps can be taken to prevent homeless and what support the local authority can provide.

Tap for Reading: tackling homelessness together

Tap for Reading is a new way for you to support those who are homeless and rough sleeping in Reading.