Many of them find themselves at the sharpest end of the housing crisis: unable to afford even the cheapest rent and lacking the stability needed to pursue a career or complete their education.

A lack of housing supply has been a policy challenge for several years. Successive governments have struggled to get homes built, and housing charities argue that some 90,000 social homes are needed every year in order to address the chronic shortage of affordable housing.

Michelle Donovan, Head of Independent Living at Centrepoint, says the cycle of instability caused by a lack of housing can be disruptive for young people in particular, “It’s such a crucial time for them. It can harm career progression and educational attainment.”

In response, the youth homelessness charity launched its Independent Living Programme. The initiative’s crucial innovation is to cap rent at one-third of a resident’s earnings, and to provide support services focused on ensuring they are ready to maintain employment and housing when they move on.

Michelle says the most important thing is that young people have space to hold down a job “Our homes give them that stability and from there it ends their reliance on benefits and hopefully means they can escape homelessness for good. The idea is we’re giving young people the stability they need to focus on their futures.”

The flat that changed one young woman’s life

A woman who spent the pandemic lockdowns alone in her room in homelessness accommodation is now fulfilling her dream to be a midwife.

Katelin, who became homeless at 17 after years of family arguments, said the isolation gave her time to plan the steps she needed to achieve her goals. “During COVID I thought, where do I see myself if I stay where I am?”

She spent two years in supported housing but – like 1 in 5 young people in similar situations – struggled to move on and start living independently.

Her support worker told her about a scheme run by Centrepoint for working young people who couldn’t afford rent elsewhere, “I got incredibly lucky – the scheme was offered to me and one other person. I wouldn’t be able to say I’m a midwife now if it wasn’t for me living at the independent Living Programme.

We Can’t Do This Alone

Last year, over 118,000 young people faced homelessness. That’s one young person every four minutes. At a time of life when most of their peers are trying new things and taking their first steps into adulthood, these young people found themselves alone and afraid, and unsure where to turn.

It doesn’t have to be like this, with the right support at the right time, these young people can escape homelessness or avoid it altogether.

At Centrepoint, provide more than a bed for the night. We provide a safe place to rebuild, support into education and work, and the confidence to believe in a better future.

Youth homelessness is not inevitable. With the right help at the right time, it can be prevented and it can be ended.

Our mission is to end youth homelessness – and you can help us.

Whether it’s running a marathon or holding a sleep out, you, your friends, family and co-workers can join our movement to end youth homelessness and give vulnerable young people a brighter future.

To find out more, donate or get involved, please visit our website:http://www.centrepoint.org.uk/newspaper

PE Teacher Gains Independence Through Centrepoint

A PE teacher has revealed how living in a Centrepoint Independent Living Programme home has made a “significant difference” to his life, giving him the stability and independence he previously struggled to find.

(Image: Centrepoint)

Londoner Naihum always loved sport and teaching. And, after finishing university, he secured a full-time role as a PE teacher. However, despite his dedication, he faced a common problem for many young people: a lack of affordable housing. Rents in his area were high, and the stress of trying to cover his living costs began to weigh heavily on him.

“I couldn’t find a place I could afford,” he said. “It was really difficult to manage everything on my own.”

Things changed when he heard about Centrepoint’s Independent Living Programme. After applying, he was offered a place in one of their homes where rent is capped at a third of his salary.

“Living here has made a significant difference. I’m able to afford it without having to stress overnight and having to think about where I’m going to get the money from with the job that I’m currently at,” he explained, “I know that other people are in situations where they are finding it hard and their mental health is affected.”

The Independent Living Programme homes are more than just housing; residents are also able to access additional support in acquiring the life skills young people need to sustain tenancies in the future. Naihum has worked with mentors to improve his budgeting and financial management, helping him to understand what he can do to cover essentials like food, transport, and bills.

The stability and support has helped Naihum in other ways too. Over time, he has built a strong sense of community with other young people living in similar situations to him. “It’s great because you’ve got others to reach out to and it just makes it easier,” he said.

Now the charity hopes even more young people like Naihum can be supported thanks to the latest Omaze Million Pound House Draw in the Lake District, which will help fund more of the charity’s Independent Living Programme homes and give young people the chance to move from homelessness into independence.

The partnership could not have come at a more important time. Centrepoint’s chief executive, Seyi Obakin OBE, is hopeful that many dozens more young people will get to benefit from the stability that the charity’s Independent Living Programme affords young residents: “The guaranteed £1 million raised by Omaze will help us expand our services and build more genuinely affordable homes for those ready to move forward. Together, we can help transform young lives and end youth homelessness for good.”

The incident occurred on Wednesday (April 15) when masked-up riders on an electric motorcycle made off from armed officers.

This led to Thames Valley Police’s Wantage and Grove neighbourhood policing team being in the right place and right time to help catch the suspects.

Having been on the way back to Wantage, officers spotted the wanted males and bike, leading to an armed response detaining the pair.

READ MORE: Police helicopter deployed as four men detained in night sting

The bike. (Image: Thames Valley Police)

A spokesperson for the Wantage and Grove team said: “We don’t just get great results on our own patch, sometimes we’re called to help further afield, and Wednesday was one of those days.

“On our way back to Wantage after covering another area, we heard about an electric motorbike making off from our armed response colleagues in Oxford.

“The riders were masked up and trying their luck

“As we passed through, our team spotted the bike and the males, which directly led to our armed response colleagues detaining them

“Meanwhile, we seized the electric bike, and it’s now on its way to the crusher.”

The incident occurred at around 11.20am on Wednesday (April 15) on the path near Longford Way in Didcot.

A man cycled past a woman and her young child before dismounting and entering the bushes, where he was seen to expose himself, says Thames Valley Police.

Later in the day, approximately 1.05pm, a man was seen on the cycle track (old railway line) between Hagbourne and Upton.

READ MORE: Police helicopter deployed as four men detained in night sting

He too cycled past the victim and proceeded to go into the bushes, and as the victim walked past, he exposed himself to her.

The offender is described as a black man in his twenties with a thin build and afro-style hair.

Police say he was wearing dark jeans and a dark top, and was cycling on a black bike.

Thames Valley Police is now appealing for witnesses following the indecent exposure in Oxford.

READ MORE: Police make arrest after 51 offences clocked on two motorways

Investigating officer, PC Daniel Mellor, said: “I am appealing to anybody who witnessed either of these incidents, or may have information that could assist in our investigation, to contact Thames Valley Police.

“I am also appealing to anyone else who may have been in the area, walking along this lane or anyone nearby with CCTV or door-cam footage.

“Officers have gathered the details of some witnesses at the time of the report, but are looking for any further witnesses or information.

“Anyone with information can call 101 or make a report via our website, quoting reference number 43260182552.

“Alternatively, for anonymity, you can call the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”