Reading council has been pressed over how it helps people sleeping rough after two recent deaths.
Kepha Otundo, 47, died of exposure to extreme cold while living in a tent near Reading town centre on 10 January. Genevieve Curwen, who had been living in a tent in Broad Street, died last week after a week in hospital; her death was reported on Thursday 26 February.
The issue was raised by councillor Raj Singh, leader of the Conservatives on the council. He had previously been told what work the council does when it activates its Severe Weather Emergency Protocol (SWEP), which provides beds when temperatures are forecast to hit 0°C or below for three consecutive nights. People sleeping rough, however, have the right to refuse offers of beds.
Speaking at a full council meeting, Cllr Singh said: "Since that response, our town has witnessed the tragic death of Mr Otundo, who died while rough sleeping near Abattoirs Road during severe winter conditions.
"Residents will rightly question whether repeating that individuals can simply decline support is an adequate position when a life has been lost - particularly when SWEP measures are meant to provide additional protection during extreme weather."
The council’s lead councillor for housing, Matt Yeo, answered Singh’s questions and offered condolences. He said: "The death of Mr Otundo was a tragic event. On behalf of the council, I extend my condolences to his family, friends, and all who knew him.
"Any death of someone experiencing rough sleeping is one too many, and it must drive learning and improvement across the entire system.
"While every effort is made to bring people indoors during SWEP, adults who are assessed to have capacity retain the right to make their own decisions about accepting accommodation.
"Most people encountered by outreach teams meet the threshold for capacity and therefore cannot be compelled by the council or partner agencies to enter accommodation.
"Decisions to remain outside - though unsafe - must still be respected."
Yeo said the council has funded a senior social worker to carry out care assessments for rough sleepers alongside housing and public realm teams. He added that SWEP had been activated three times this winter, covering 21 nights (as of 18 February) and supporting 116 individuals with accommodation. During the SWEP period when Mr Otundo died, 51 people were offered and accepted emergency accommodation.
Cllr Singh also asked about more than 270 commissioned beds and whether they were available when Mr Otundo died. Yeo clarified the commissioned beds are mainly longer-stay supported accommodation, not emergency or SWEP beds, and so are not designed for immediate access. He said: "During the cold weather period in which Mr Otundo passed away, where SWEP was active between December 31, 2025 and January 12, SWEP beds were available and being used."
During that period, 10 people moved into vacancies in the council’s commissioned supported accommodation. The exchange took place at the full council meeting on Tuesday 24 February.
James Aldridge, Local Democracy Reporter
