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YMCA flats to address affordable homes shortage

Nicola Haseler
BBC News, Buckinghamshire
Reporting fromMilton Keynes
Sam Read
BBC News, Buckinghamshire
STEVE HUBBARD/BBC A head and shoulders shot of Jason Day smiling at the camera. He is wearing a brown jumper. He is standing in front of grey kitchen cabinets which are blurred out in the background.STEVE HUBBARD/BBC
Jacob Day said he was left shaking with excitement when moving into his flat

A man has described moving into a new flat as a "blessing" after benefiting from a scheme to help young people into housing.

Jacob Day, 23, is one of 14 people to rent new apartments purchased by YMCA Milton Keynes.

They are designed for young people who have moved out of the charity's accommodation in Milton Keynes and who might be at risk of homelessness.

The government has said it is "pumping billions of pounds into affordable housing".

The properties were purchased using a £3.5m grant from government body Homes England and with private investment.

Rent levels for the properties have been set at 80% of market value and residents can stay in the homes until they reach the age of 35.

STEVE HUBBARD/BBC A four-storey block of flats which is yellow brick with much of the building clad in grey wood. A man is walking into the door which is in the middle of the front of the building. Each of the eight flats has a small balcony. There is an overcast grey sky in the background. STEVE HUBBARD/BBC
A government body, Homes England, has provided a grant to purchase the flats

Mr Day said he was in hospital receiving treatment when he heard about YMCA Milton Keynes.

Residents are able to stay for up to three years at the charity's existing city centre accommodation.

But Mr Day struggled to find affordable housing in the local area.

"[A] move up north is pretty much the only option that would be viable," he said.

He described the excitement as he moved into his new flat in Milton Keynes as "crazy".

"I feel really proud" of how life has progressed, he added.

STEVE HUBBARD/BBC A head and shoulders shot of Simon Green looking at the camera. He is wearing a black top and a grey suit jacket. He is standing outside in a modern housing estate which is blurred out in the background.STEVE HUBBARD/BBC
Simon Green says the charity supports young people who are "full of ambition" but society "just isn't helping"

Simon Green, the charity's chief executive, said the organisation was the first local YMCA in England to buy properties in this way and help address an "inadequate" supply of affordable homes for young people.

"Homelessness doesn't have to be about shabby buildings and negativity," he said.

In total, 38 properties have been purchased with 14 people moving into 10 flats as part of phase one.

The city council said it knew that access to affordable housing was a "major issue" across England, especially for young people.

"We're working with landlords to help unlock more secure tenancies for renters, and we're building affordable homes that will get more people on to the housing ladder," a spokesperson said.

A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said it "will build 1.5 million homes, and we are pumping billions of pounds into affordable housing to help deliver the biggest boost to social housebuilding in a generation".

"Our planning reforms will drive housebuilding to its highest level in over 40 years and our mandatory housing targets will ensure that more homes are delivered in the least affordable areas," they added.

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