New £8m affordable homes scheme for young people in Devon

Gareth Soreby, CEO of YMCA Exeter

An £8m housing scheme in Devon for young people at risk of homelessness has been branded a "beacon of hope" by the charity behind it.

Planned supported living will provide 83 homes for young people in Torbay and Plymouth, YMCA Exeter said.

Gareth Soresby, CEO, said the project's 24-hour staff would support residents with community integration, education and employment.

Mr Soresby said the housing crisis was "the worst he'd ever seen it".

He said he hoped the scheme, which would offer rental at a price "affordable for those on housing benefit", would be a "contribution to a solution".

With £8m funding secured, YMCA Exeter said it hoped to purchase 36 homes in Torbay and lease 47 in Plymouth.

Mr Soresby said they were confident the scheme would become a "a beacon of hope for many young people across Torbay and Plymouth".

"We are also freeing up spaces in the crisis properties already there - the hostels, the B&Bs."

Andy Fletcher said YMCA Exeter helped him leave emergency accommodation after a relationship breakdown

Andy Fletcher said he was supported by YMCA Exeter into affordable housing after a relationship breakdown left him in emergency accommodation.

He said: "It's made a massive difference - it's really helped with my mental health.

"Without the YMCA I would not be in a good spot, I most likely would not be here.

"They do offer a substantial amount of support for someone like me.

"It's really great to see them expand to other projects in Plymouth and Torbay."

'Game-changer'

The £8m will cover 65% of the housing costs, plus support staff for three years - with more funds yet to be raised.

YMCA Exeter said residents, some of whom would likely have come from the care system, would be helped to "transition" into housing when they were ready to live with a lower level of support.

It said in 2023, there were 80 young people in Plymouth with medium to high support needs, without access to supported housing and at risk of homelessness.

In 2024, the charity estimates that has grown to nearly 300 young adults in Plymouth who will require support from Adult Social Care in the future.

Funding has come from the Homes England Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP).

The "supported housing pathway" would run in partnership with YMCA South Devon, Torbay Council and charity Young Devon.

YMCA Plymouth and Plymouth City Council were also partners.

Andrew Moreman, Young Devon CEO, said the scheme was a "game-changer for the city".