On Wednesday 5th February, Brighton & Hove Councillors voted unanimously to grant planning permission for 30 units of transitional housing on derelict ground in the Moulsecoomb area of the city. This is the culmination of two years hard work, working in partnership with the council and local residents’ groups. Building work is expected to start within two months and the first residents will move in before winter.
Our CEO, Chas Walker, spoke at the planning committee and expressed the need for transitional housing for vulnerable young people in the city:
“In 2019, 72% of the young people living in YMCA DownsLink Group supported accommodation moved on positively to independence. However, a key problem is the lack of suitable ‘move on’ accommodation. We’re delighted that the scheme has been approved as it will a provide a vital pathway for young people to move between supported accommodation and full independent living. It will also provide an affordable housing solution for young people at risk of homelessness with low support needs. It is part of the solution to the housing crisis within the city.”
The scheme, on land owned by Brighton and Hove City Council, is part of a council house building scheme known as New Homes for Neighbourhoods. We have also secured funding of £1.5 million from the Homes and Communities Agency, a government organisation, now known as Homes England, towards the £3.1 million cost of development.
The flats will be let to local young people who have the life skills to live independently with a low level of support. Fifty percent will be moving on from specialist supported housing provided by us, with priority being given to young people from the Moulsecoomb area. The remaining 50% will be allocated by the council. All referrals must demonstrate that they have the skills and maturity to move on to more independent accommodation: this scheme offers a stepping stone towards full independence with two-year tenancies for single occupancy only.
One of the key features of this new build is its modern, modular construction. The building will be mostly pre-assembled in a factory before being transported to the site for erection. This will drastically reduce the amount of time it will take to construct the scheme. The development will also incorporate several sustainability measures including photo-voltaic panels, air source heat pumps and green roofs.
We will be posting regular updates on this exciting build, so do come back to see how it’s progressing.
