Some of the city’s vulnerable young people will get a safer place to live, thanks to a Council loan.
Council leader Tudor Evans OBE has today approved a business case to lend £210,000 to Young Devon to buy a property which will become home for five young people.
Councillor Evans said: “We’re using our borrowing power to help a charity work with some of our vulnerable young people who find themselves without a place to call their own.
“We know that good quality and affordable accommodation remains challenging in Plymouth. So imagine how tough it is for young people just starting out in life, especially if they get little support from their families?”
Plymouth has very high numbers of young people in temporary accommodation, in B&B’s, hostels, and shared house type temporary accommodation, accessed through the Plymouth Alliance.
Rather than just providing a room, Young Devon work with young people to help them move on to independent living. This includes support with life skills, finances as well as help them develop their resilience.
Young Devon will be using some of its own financing but require a top-up loan to enable them to buy a property in Plymouth to offer settled accommodation.
Andy Moreman, Chief Executive of Young Devon said the organisation had supporting young people in Plymouth for more than 20 years, providing stable accommodation for those who might otherwise be homeless.
He added: “We support young people with their mental health and provide skills training and employment support. We also provide support to young victims of crime and to young people who have been admitted to hospital.
“Over the last two years alone we have worked with more than 1500 young people in Plymouth and this has meant many have remained in safe homes, completed basic qualifications and improved their wellbeing.”
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