How St George’s Caravan Park in Wokingham provides safe solutions for homelessness

The need for affordable housing in the UK

There is a housing crisis in the UK, with more people than ever before struggling to find somewhere to live that they can afford.

According to UK homelessness charity, Shelter, more than a million households are on the list for social housing. Many of these people have no indication of when and how they will get any help from the Government.

It’s a problem set to increase in intensity. In 2022, more than 29,000 social homes were either demolished or sold off. Furthermore, fewer than 7,000 new social homes were built.

Figures for England alone show that 1.4 million fewer families or households are socially housed than in 1980. This means that all of these people in need are forced into the private sector, where prices are rising exponentially year on year. With landlords giving little compassion to tenants, many are being unfairly evicted and becoming homeless.

In Reading the problem is more intense with the second-highest amount of rough sleepers in the county of Berkshire. Over a quarter of the homeless people are immigrants from outside the UK. Statistics show that the amount of homelessness in Berkshire is rising drastically every year by up to three times in some parts.

Felix Cash and Phoenix Residential Homes ltd offer support for vulnerable people

Currently, the average monthly rent on a home in the UK (and this excludes London), stands at £1,190. Every single region in the UK has had huge increases since the pandemic began.

The problems are many, and the potential suffering is obvious. And that’s exactly what Felix Cash and Phoenix Residential Homes are fighting to change.

By providing park homes and mobile home accommodation for those in need, the Phoenix Residential Homes Ltd owned St George’s Caravan Park in Wokingham (Reading) is offering a lifeline for the most vulnerable. working with Wokingham Borough Council to make sure that planning regulations exist for the associated hardstanding for the caravans to keep the site open to those who need it.

St George’s Caravan Park in Wokingham provides affordable and secure accommodation

Felix Cash developed the idea for the mobile home park specifically for people in Wokingham who are dealing with homelessness, struggling with low income or simply need a secure place to live.

Mr Cash says, “I started St George’s Caravan Park because I want to be in a position to directly help the local people who need it the most. Helping the less privileged is a clear message that runs through everything we do at Phoenix Residential Homes. I'm proud that we've had such a successful outcome helping provide homes to people struggling.”

“It’s really important to me, as a local businessman and long-term landowner, to give something back.”

How many households live at St George’s Caravan Park?

St George’s Caravan Park comprises 49 park homes and has been in operation under Managing Director, Felix Cash, since 2006/7.

“We have some really long-term stayers,” explains Mr Cash. “But we also have a relatively regular turnaround, mostly because people need to move due to ill health, work relocation or, on occasion, people returning home.”

“Anyone who needs a secure, safe, and fairly priced home is welcome to St George’s Caravan Park, whether from overseas or the local area.”

Safe and secure residential space

Mr Cash and Phoenix Residential are keen to ensure the site is comfortable, relaxed, and safe.

“St George’s Park is surrounded by woodland in the open countryside of the Nine Mile Ride district of Wokingham, near Reading,” explains Felix Cash. “There is a laid-back vibe and there are different accommodation solutions for people of all ages, backgrounds and circumstances. All the homes are detached with their own outdoor space and there’s an on-site tenant office and emergency call-out service.”

“In other words, we’ve created a residential property site that offers safety, security and a home for people who really need it. Our staff all live locally, so we’re always nearby if anyone needs anything. And we’ve also made sure that the chosen site is usefully positioned – there are easy travel connections to the property park along Nine Mile Ride and it’s near to the local train station.”

“It’s important to ensure that residents can commute and get to work when they need to, and it’s conveniently located for this.”

Working alongside Wokingham Borough Council

The residential park was built and is maintained by Phoenix Residential Homes, working alongside Wokingham Borough Council, to make sure that it stays within planning regulations, and is affordable and available for those that need it.

Felix Cash says, “We’re pleased to have had such a successful outcome providing park homes to our residents and will continue to develop solutions where and when we can across Wokingham and Reading.”

“Social housing in this country is declining rapidly, and as prices continue to rise, the reality is that there will be more and more people in desperate need of safe homes. Property companies have a duty to give something back and ease the problem for people.”

Contact Felix Cash or Phoenix Residential for any more information

To find out how you could support Felix Cash and his company Phoenix Residential Homes Ltd with the maintenance of St George’s Park, please visit the Phoenix Residential Homes Facebook page.