Capital Plans for 2011
We’re constantly trying to expand and improve our services to help reach as many homeless young people as possible. Our upcoming 2011 projects include:
Emergency bed spaces in Soho
We’ll be refurbishing and modernising our vital short stay spaces in Soho and introducing shared flats featuring individual bedrooms and communal kitchen areas.
Our Soho services play a huge role in getting vulnerable young people off the streets throughout the year. They are particularly vital at Christmas, when the streets are colder, instances of assault rise, and it can feel heartbreakingly lonely. Now, they need an overhaul desperately.
The planned refurbishments will ensure as many young people as possible can be safe from the dangers of sleeping rough over the critical Christmas period - and long after.
Ealing Works
Centrepoint is proposing to add to its current Ealing service with six studio self-contained cottages in part of the garden area and a further two units on the roof. Planned work will also include a general update to the existing building.
Its location makes it ideally suited to make up for a desperate shortfall in ‘move-on’ accommodation for young people moving into more independent living. With the new units in place, many more homeless young people will be able to take the next step towards a positive, independent life.
We’ll be able to update donors on the project’s progress in the near future, and provide information on exactly how they can help once building applications have been approved, in early 2012.
Redbridge Street Property Programme
Centrepoint has submitted a plan to develop 63 empty flats in partnership with the borough of Redbridge between now and 2015. The flats will be renovated with double glazing, improved insulation and new flooring.
The scheme will build on the development of a further 37 disused one-bed flats in the borough last year as part of a purchase and repair scheme. The overhaul included extra move-on accommodation and a supported lodgings shared housing scheme.
Once work is completed, more homeless young people will have the chance to move on safely from living at Centrepoint services to supported homes of their own. Inspired by their new surroundings, they’ll have the chance to develop new goals and aspirations.
Camden Hostel
Centrepoint plans to submit a funding bid for a brand new assessment centre in Camden. The proposed service will further improve the quality of accommodation across the area.
Our drive to refurbish our Camden hostels in 2010 was a huge success thanks in part to the support we received from donors. The assessment centre will allow us to build on that success and ensure Centrepoint is better equipped to meet the needs of young service users.
City Spot purchase model
Spot will be a new way to provide flexible help for young people in and around London, enabling them to choose their service provider and us to tailor services and better support their needs. The project will make up for a serious lack of short and mid-term beds available for homeless young people in and around London.
Once completed, City Spot will ensure homeless young people are better able to access the services they require - and help set them on a path to positive futures free of homelessness.