A first of it’s kind initiative has begun in south London, with the introduction of ‘pod homes’ accommodation for young homeless people.
Reuben House in Peckham is making 33 pod homes available for young people that don’t have somewhere permanent to live, with the spaces opening up later this year. Homeless charity Centrepoint is behind this initiative, which is the first of it’s kind in London.
33 pod homes will be available to people as part of the Independent Living Programme, run by Centrepoint, and those signing up for the accommodation will need to have full-time work or part of an apprenticeship, as well as being aged 18-25.
Most importantly, these homes are going to be significantly more affordable than what you’d be able to find around most of the city. Rent for the pods will will work out to around one-third of a monthly salary. Anyone on minimum wage would be paying £394-per-month, with this going up-or-down depending on the tenants take-home pay.
Speaking to Centrepoint, Ana* – who is part of the current Independent Living Programme – said: “It is realistic to your current situation. The rent is calculated based on how much you’re earning and not the value of the room.
“It’s the perfect stepping stone into young people wrapping their minds around living independently over extortionate private renting.”
Flats are around 21 square metres, and built by contractors M-AR who teamed up with Centrepoint for this project. Spaces are a well-maintained, single-living space designed to help young people facing homelessness. They are the first new-builds to be designed for this exact purpose. According to Centrepoint, over 15,000 young people (aged 16-24) are currently affected by homelessness.
Centrepoint have also confirmed plans to extend this scheme further. Sally Orlopp, director of Centrepoint’s Independent Living Programme, said: “I’ve been working with disadvantaged people for over 25 years, and this is the most exciting and innovative programme that has tangible results in transforming young people’s lives.
“Centrepoint’s young people now have comfortable, stylish, efficient and cost-effective homes – and most importantly the key to their very own front door. This is only the beginning,’ she added. ‘We have every ambition to create 300 more homes across London and Manchester within the coming year.”
*Uses a pseudonym.