Search Website
Close
-
YMCA
-
About Us
-
Campaigning
-
YMCA during war
Back -
-
What we do
-
Get Involved
-
Shops
-
YMCA
-
About Us
-
Campaigning
-
YMCA during war
Back -
-
What we do
-
Get Involved
-
Shops
Building Futures
Our ambition
YMCA is on a mission to make sure no young person is left without a home, or a future.
#BuildingFutures is a movement to help end the youth housing crisis by creating 10,000 new homes for young people.
As the largest charitable provider of supported housing in England and Wales, YMCA is uniquely placed to meet this challenge. Cemented in local communities, with over 10,000 homes already under our belt, we see the impact the housing crisis has on young lives – and we have the experience and ambition to change it.
Close
YMCA supports 20,000+ young people a year through our housing.
Join us and help make sure no young person is left without a home, or a future.
Young people are facing a housing catastrophe. Soaring rents, a lack of affordable homes and the constant risk of homelessness are leaving many locked out of the futures they deserve.
Almost two-thirds of young people surveyed in a recent YMCA report had to borrow money simply to pay their rent.
No more broken promises. No more plastering over the cracks. It’s time to put words into action.
The current Government aims to deliver 1.5 million new homes, but unless there is a dedicated focus on young people and truly affordable options, these ambitions risk leaving an entire generation behind.
YMCA is playing its part by creating 10,000 new homes, and calling on government to unlock barriers in land, funding and policy. Our ‘Unlocking Affordable Homes’ report found if we want to build a new generation of affordable housing we need to:
- Unlock land by providing upfront funding for acquisition where projects deliver genuinely affordable housing
- Strengthen planning capacity so local authorities can fast-track affordable schemes and release land below market value
- Recognise young people explicitly in housing needs assessments, as is done for other priority groups
- Simplify Homes England funding so smaller providers and affordable-focused projects can access it
- Increase grant flexibility and levels by strengthening the Affordable Homes Programme
- Reform grant rules so funding reflects the real costs of maintaining homes over time
Together, we can help end the youth housing crisis.
YMCA is committed to making this mission a reality. But we can’t do it alone.
Katie’s story
“Growing up, all I wanted was a space of my own – somewhere calm, without chaos. Somewhere I felt I belonged. My home at the time was the opposite. YMCA supported me with a place of my own. I knew it wasn’t permanent, but over time I began to rebuild my confidence. After a few months, I felt ready to move on, knowing I wanted something more stable and long term. That’s what makes YMCA’s move-on accommodation so special. I now have a one-bedroom flat with a balcony, and it’s perfect for me.
The home I have now means everything. Coming back from work to a peaceful place fills me with joy. Having my own space has also helped me rebuild my relationship with my mum and has made a huge difference to my mental health. I’m excited about the future and hope to save for a home of my own one day.”
Katie, Resident
Close
YMCA polled 1,000 young people, revealing the scale of the challenge facing young renters across England and Wales.
0
% struggle to raise the five-week upfront deposit needed to secure a home.
0
% have had to borrow money simply to pay their rent.
0
% were forced to move in the last three years because their rent became unaffordable.
0
% say housing costs have stopped them taking the next step in life — including work, education or independence.
0
% of those planning to move say affordability is the single biggest barrier.
It’s hard to become someone, when you don’t have somewhere.