Housing

Plans to give young homeless a job and home ‘rapidly expanding' in UK cities

One in five youngsters using Centrepoint's services are ready to move on but have nowhere to go

Centrepoint is hoping to provide housing for vulnerable young people. Image credit: BLJ London

Centrepoint is hoping to provide housing for vulnerable young people. Image credit: BLJ London

Plans to give vulnerable young people a job and a home are “rapidly expanding” in London and Manchester to break the cycle of youth homelessness.

Charity Centrepoint has been given planning permission by Southwark Council to build 33 single-occupancy modular homes in Peckham, south London through its Independent Living Programme

Lockdowns have taken income away from hundreds of Big Issue sellers. Support The Big Issue and our vendors by signing up for a subscription.

The scheme, which was announced in October 2019, hopes to provide 300 youngsters in London and Greater Manchester with a roof over their head and an entry-level role in what the organisation claimed was the most “ambitious” project in its 50-year history. 

It is now in talks with councils in Barnet, Hounslow, Waltham Forest and Manchester to “deliver” the rest of the £50,000-per-unit properties by the end of the year. 

What the modular homes Centrepoint are providing will look like. Image credit: Centrepoint
cp-modular-design-axo
What the modular homes Centrepoint are providing in London and Greater Manchester will look like. Image credit: Centrepoint

Chief executive Seyi Obakin said: “Our mission at Centrepoint has always been to support homeless young people in getting a job and a home.

“The Independent Living Programme builds on that idea by making housing costs affordable and giving young people the foundation they need to start a career. 

“We are so pleased to have secured planning permission in Southwark and hope other councils see the importance of what we’re doing to give homeless young people a real future and want to get involved too.” 

Young people have been hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. In this month’s Budget, the Chancellor announced that care leavers and vulnerable young people leaving homelessness accommodation would receive greater benefits earlier than planned.

Centrepoint said this would mean “thousands” of the most vulnerable people given a better chance of securing a home, but the fact it currently provides housing and assistance to 15,000 youngsters paints a gloomy picture of the state of youth homelessness in the UK.  

The charity said one in five youngsters using its services are ready to move on but due to a shortage of affordable homes, “restrictive” welfare policies and reductions in local authority benefits, many have nowhere to go. 

The Independent Living Programme could provide young people with the bedrock of a roof over their head and a stable job, helping to break the cycle of homelessness, the charity said. 

Young people would only be charged one-third of their salary as rent. For a 20- year old in Manchester earning minimum wage, they would pay approximately £350 a month to live alone.  

While the project hasn’t housed any young people yet, Centrepoint has invested almost £2 million.

Centrepoint’s Sally Orlopp, director of The Independent Living Programme, added: “I’ve been working with disadvantaged people for over 25 years, and this is the most exciting and innovative programme that has tangible results in transforming young people’s lives. 

“With an investment of almost £2 million from Centrepoint, we’re already maximising new opportunities by turning 8 units to 33 homes, with an ambition to create 300 within the coming year.” 

Support the Big Issue

For over 30 years, the Big Issue has been committed to ending poverty in the UK. In 2024, our work is needed more than ever. Find out how you can support the Big Issue today.
Vendor martin Hawes

Recommended for you

View all
Local housing allowance is finally going up. But is it anything more than just a short-term fix?
Jeremy Hunt announced local housing allowance rise
Benefits

Local housing allowance is finally going up. But is it anything more than just a short-term fix?

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'
Renters Reform Bill
RENTING

Leaked letter to Tory MPs reveals renting reforms will be 'watered down' to 'appease landlords'

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn
Housing

Housing crisis: Shared ownership an 'unbearable reality' which has 'failed to deliver', MPs warn

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill
Renters and the Renters Reform Bill
Renting

Most tenants have never heard of the beleaguered Renters Reform Bill

Most Popular

Read All
Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits
Renters: A mortgage lender's window advertising buy-to-let products
1.

Renters pay their landlords' buy-to-let mortgages, so they should get a share of the profits

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal
Pound coins on a piece of paper with disability living allowancve
2.

Exclusive: Disabled people are 'set up to fail' by the DWP in target-driven disability benefits system, whistleblowers reveal

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments
next dwp cost of living payment 2023
3.

Here's when UK households to start receiving last cost of living payments

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know
4.

Strike dates 2023: From train drivers to NHS doctors, here are the dates to know