Centrepoint case study

How Independent Living can help young people leave homelessness behind

John Raynham, Independent Living Development Lead at Centrepoint, talks about how the sector can increase housing supply and provide a sustainable route out of homelessness for young people.

Centrepoint’s aim is to end youth homelessness but this ambition is stifled by the lack of affordable housing options for young people.

To tackle this, we developed our Independent Living programme, which is designed for young people aged 18-25 who are in work, so they have a sustainable means to pay their rent. They must also have the confidence and skills to live independently as Independent Living is not supported housing.

How does Independent Living work?

• Young people sign a two-year fixed term tenancy with the option to renew annually beyond two years for a maximum of five years in total. They must be in full time work.
• Rent is linked to salary - young people pay one third of their gross annual salaried income. They also pay their own bills.
• This provides an affordable and sustainable way for young people to maintain a job, a home and leave homelessness behind.

Centrepoint Reuben House, Southwark

The homes at Reuben House are self-contained single occupancy studios. They comprise a bedroom, shower room, and kitchen lounge diner. The homes are provided fully furnished including bedding, towels, cutlery, and crockery, providing young people with everything they need. Reuben House is a gated community with fob entry access, CCTV, and security lighting that helps young people to feel safe and secure.

How was it funded?

Reuben House was funded through a combination of private and public money. Centrepoint is a charity and raised most of the funds from corporations, family foundations, and philanthropists. The Greater London Authority (GLA) provided 20% of the costs via their Affordable Homes Programme.

What were the challenges?

The homes at Rueben House are 20.5m², below the minimum national space standard of 37m² sqm for one-bedroom dwellings. We successfully argued with Southwark Council and the GLA that our homes are specialist housing for single young people learning to live independently for the first time. The Reuben House development was protected in a 106 agreement that specifies the needs of the residents and the affordable rent model that has enabled the space standard exception to be made.

What’s next?

Centrepoint is developing five Independent Living schemes in London and three in Manchester to tackle the challenge of affordable housing for young people. Our objective is to generate 300 new homes by 2027. However, our intention is that the 300 homes will prove a concept that can be replicated by others to help take the model to scale.

• We will continue to work with government for Independent Living ‘stepping stone’ homes to be recognised in the space standards.
• We will continue to work with local authorities and their planning teams to create a framework where Independent Living homes can become a recognised housing model.
• We will continue to work with the GLA and Homes England to establish Independent Living as specialist housing for young people that can be funded with housing grant.

We know we can’t meet the affordable housing needs of young people across the country on our own. We encourage other developers to consider our model and to get in touch if they are motivated to replicate it.

Read or listen to Andrew’s story to find out more about Reuben House and Centrepoint’s work to help end homelessness.