Housing Scheme for Vulnerable Young People Opens In Chiswick

St. Margaret's House is intended to help towards independent living

A £2.4 million housing scheme to support vulnerable young people has been officially opened in Chiswick.

St Margaret’s House on Sutton Court Road has 26 self contained studios for vulnerable 16-21 year olds who are either homeless or leaving care. The Mayor of Hounslow, Cllr Pritam Grewel officially opened the scheme last Friday (May 3).

The proposal had attracted opposition when it was first mooted three years ago as people complained of a lack of pre-application consultation with the local community and also questioned the need for the facility.

The scheme was delivered by Shepherds Bush Housing Group on behalf of Hounslow Council and the chief executive of SBHG Paul Doe said the young residents were "keen to be part of the community".

Mr. Doe said the new residents had already been welcomed locally. "As well as giving them a home, we’ll support them with professional, planned support and guidance to help them towards a positive, independent future," he said.

Cllr Steve Curran, cabinet member for housing and education at the council said; “This is a high quality scheme that will not only give vulnerable young people a roof over their head, but the life skills they need to move on and live independently in the community.

“The short stay units should mean we can end stop homeless young people having to be placed in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation.

“On top of that, the young people will take part in meaningful activities such as education, employment, volunteering or training to make sure they’re getting the most out of their stay.”

The support service to the young people is funded through the council’s Supporting People programme which supports vulnerable residents to live independently.

There are five short stay units for young people who become homeless who would otherwise have only been able to be housed in temporary bed and breakfast accommodation.

Two units are fully wheelchair adapted, and a further four can be adapted if necessary. Facilities include an IT suite, communal kitchen for cookery classes, interview rooms and a large lounge which can be subdivided into training rooms.

SBHG are a specialist support provider who operate two other supported housing schemes for young people funded by the council. In the past year they have helped more than 40 young people move on to independent living.

May 8, 2013