The St Basils mYPlace scheme, originally launched in June 2011 and covering just the Wyre Forest area will from April 2012 be extended to help young people in Bromsgrove and Redditch as well.
Under the scheme vulnerable young people who have been in supported accommodation are able to access financial help to find their first month's rent and a guarantee for their deposit, enabling them to secure a private tenancy and also offer added reassurance to landlords. St Basils works with young people on the scheme to ensure that they can budget their outgoings effectively, develop their own independent living skills and on anything else to help sustain their private tenancy.
The Wyre Forest scheme, funded by Crisis has reached its target to provide intensive support to 25 young people in nine months and has secured second round funding to place a further 25 young people from April 2012.
The extension of the scheme, also from 1st April, to cover most of North Worcestershire is thanks to joint funding from Crisis and Wyre Forest, Bromsgrove and Redditch District Councils.
Bromsgrove District Council's portfolio holder for Housing Cllr Kit Taylor said:
"In the current housing climate we are delighted to be able to provide affordable pathways into the private sector, which will provide young people with a firm foundation from which they can build. Providing homes in private rental accommodation gives young people the chance to have more settled, secure and integrated lives, and co-operation over local authority boundaries to do this will be of real benefit".
A mYPlace young person said:
“mYPlace has made all the difference to me, I have a lovely home that I can afford ok, money is tight but at least I’m living in the real world… the process was so quick and easy, you would not get a better service if you went through an agent and I couldn’t have afforded their fees. With mYPlace they provide rent in advance and you get 2 years to pay it back, which was such a relief. It really is the best option for young people like me”.
Wyre Forest Landlord Mark Albutt said:
"Building properties is what I am good at but finding the right tenant can take so much time. mYPlace staff have been thorough and efficient; it has all been so easy. Providing the tenants with a safe and affordable option has been an absolute pleasure; the looks on the young people's faces when they arrived for the viewings confirmed that what I am doing is worth it".
Emma Poole, St Basils North Worcestershire Service Manager said:
“We are delighted that the mYPlace scheme has received funding to continue and expand into Bromsgrove and Redditch as this will mean that we can provide more options for young people to move on to good quality, affordable accommodation and take that final step towards independence.”
Added March 2012
