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Homes for Young People

Providing a home and personalised support services for a fresh start in life.

As a rapidly growing city and with a high proportion of young people, the challenge of finding affordable housing is immense. Young people facing and experiencing homelessness is an increasing and visible issue within Milton Keynes. We’re on a mission to change that.

We provide a safe place to live for up to 242 people, aged 18-35, across our campus and move-on accommodation. Our pathway of support adopts a person-centred approach across three stages of accommodation.

A dedicated staff contact is assigned to each resident and will help them as they progress from supported through to independent living. By the time our residents are ready to move on, they will have the tools and confidence needed to live an independent and fulfilled life.

Benefits of living at YMCA MK

YMCA MK is a landlord you can trust. We provide affordable accommodation and a host of benefits for all our residents. Make YMCA MK your next home. 

Your Supportive Landlord

  • No deposit required
  • No agent fees 
  • Free gym membership for all residents
  • All inclusive bills
  • Free Wi-Fi throughout the building
  • Fully furnished rooms
  • On-site laundry facilities
  • 24-hour access to the Residents’ Lounge and games room
  • On-site property manager
  • A trustworthy, caring landlord and friendly staff team
  • A dedicated staff contact for each resident
  • A safe and secure environment – 24-hour concierge service
  • Evening meal for residents living in Supported living
  • Good transport links
  • Walking distance to the Hub and shopping centre
  • Help finding move-on accommodation and continued support once you’ve left the campus.
YMCA Exterior

Our Campus Community

We also offer the following benefits to ensure that our campus is welcoming, inclusive and supportive to all young people in Milton Keynes.

  • Free Activity Programme including fitness, creative sessions, life skills and much more
  • Regular social events and day trips
  • Access to our on-site HomeGround café, serving healthy and affordable food
  • A great community surrounded by young people who all want to belong, contribute and thrive
  • Person-centred support for all residents should they need our help
  • Education, employment and career support
  • Free on-site counselling.

 

 

Stage 1: Supported

Providing stability and support in a safe and encouraging environment.  

The first stage of our pathway is for young people who have experienced homelessness and provides accommodation for 30 residents with 24-hour support. All residents in stage one move into single ensuite rooms and have access to a shared kitchen and living area. 

The focus at this stage is to improve the health and wellbeing of our residents. During their time in stage one, residents take part in our Independent Living Skills programme, which helps our young people to gain practical day-to-day skills to help them live independently. Topics covered include nutrition and how to prepare food, personal hygiene and how to budget money.

Stage 2: Shared

Identifying and working towards training and employment goals.

When a resident has completed our Independent Living Skills Programme, requires less support time from their Supported Housing Coach and is ready to engage with our Employability Programme, they will move into shared accommodation. To reflect our ‘campus’ approach, our stage two accommodation provides 70 rooms in shared clusters across seven floors. There is a communal kitchen and living area on each floor, so residents can get to know each other and create friendships.

The focus in stage two is to find meaningful and sustainable employment. At YMCA MK, we offer a unique, person-centred employment support service, helping our residents to find the career they want to do, not just a job they think they have to do.

Stage 3: Independent

Achieving full independence. 

Once a resident has been in employment for eight weeks, they can move into stage three – independent accommodation. This consists of 106 one-bedroom flats and apartments available at a cost that is 20% cheaper than other private rentals in the area. 

Residents of stage three are able to live independently and as such support is focused on providing a safety net and preparing our young people to move on from our campus to begin the next chapter in their lives. Examples of support given in stage three include guidance on savings and budgeting for life beyond the campus, finding move-on accommodation and career sustainability support.

 

Housing request form

  • Please enter a number from 18 to 35.
  • Date Format: DD slash MM slash YYYY
  • If you have a parental responsibility for children but they do not live with you, you can tick this. If you are not eligible, please see this website for other options available.
  • If you are not eligible, please see this website for other options available.
  • Please note that your employment status does not have an impact on your application. It is used solely to determine which level of our service is best suited to you.
  • At YMCA Milton Keynes we collect and store information about you on our secure database. We do this for two main reasons, firstly in our role as landlord we have a legal obligation to hold information related to your licence agreement and contract of stay with us. Secondly, we hold information for legitimate interest reasons that allows us to undertake our work as a supported housing provider such as information about your wellbeing, education and employment etc. I fully understand that YMCA Milton Keynes may contact the Police and other professional bodies. I authorise YMCA Milton Keynes to assess my needs and suitability for the service. I declare that the information I’ve given to YMCA Milton Keynes, and any documents I have submitted, is true and that I have answered the questions fully and accurately.