Exeter charity awarded grant to expand youth homelessness support

YMCA Exeter has been awarded £30,000 in funding to help expand its work supporting young people at risk of homelessness in the city. 

The grant, from Leeds Buildng Society's national Fund150 programmed, will be used to provide safe housing and wide support services for vulnerable young people.

YMCA Exeter, one of the oldest YMCAs in the world, helps residents secure accommodation, improve their mental health and build connections with the community. 

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Rising rents and a shortage of affordable housing have made the issue more urgent. Recent ONS figures show more than 183,000 homes in the South West currently stand unoccupied, while around 200,000 are used as second homes.

YMCA Exeter has been working to turn unused buildings into supportive housing to tackle the shortage locally.

John Brenan, Corporate Affairs Lead at Leeds Building Society said: "We're pleased to be able to offer this funding and celebrate our mutual roots by giving back to communities and empowering people across the UK into safe and secure housing.

"This is the first time we've funded a charity in the South West. We were impressed by Exeter YMCA's commitment to the young people that they help, empowering them to learn new skills and form a sense of community." 

Exeter YMCA was one of only five organisations across the UK chosen to receive the grant as part of Leeds Building Society's 150th anniversary celebrations. 

Alongside this, Gareth Sorsby, Co-Chief Executive Officer at YMCA Exeter said: "Leeds Building Society's immensely generous grant of £30,000 through its Fund 150 grant programme will help us provide accommodation for young people in Devon who were previously homeless or in insecure housing to an exceptionally high standard, demonstrating that each young person is valued, possibly for the first time in their life." 

The funding will allow YMCA Exeter to continue developing what it calls “supportive, inclusive and energising communities,” with activities and programmes designed to help young people live independently, gain confidence, and build a sense of belonging.