Three friends are celebrating moving out of temporary accommodation at Bath YMCA into a new flat-share thanks to a new partnership between housing association Curo, Bath YMCA and B&NES Council.
Andy, aged 55, Derrick, 56 and Andre, 48, had spent several years living at the YMCA, unable to afford to rent privately despite working.
Curo has provided a three-bedroom property in central Bath which the three now rent together.
“Living at the YMCA was great and helped us all when we needed it,” said Andy who works in catering.
“To now have our own space and a kitchen where we can now cook is fantastic.”
Many single adults living in what should be temporary accommodation, like that offered by the YMCA, struggle to move on into private accommodation.
According to the latest Government data, the average private rent for a one-bedroom property in Bath & North East Somerset is £789 and £600 for a studio, second only to Bristol across the South West.
As social housing is prioritised to meeting the needs of couples and families, it can be challenging for single adults. With 100 applicants for every one-bedroom property offered in Bath through the Council’s Homesearch scheme, single adults tend to find they cannot successfully bid for social housing.
This new partnership helps to free up urgently-needed temporary and one-bedroom accommodation, as Curo Head of Lettings Hayley Stockham explained: “This shared housing partnership means Andy, Derrick and Andre now have a fantastic shared flat to call home in the heart of Bath, close to where they work.
“It also frees up bed spaces at the YMCA, and reduces the demand for one-bedroom apartments offered at social rents by housing associations like us.”
Maggie King, Deputy Chief Executive of YMCA Bath, added: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Curo. Seeing three of our residents move onto permanent accommodation is a fantastic outcome.”
Councillor Paul Myers, Bath & North East Somerset Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic & Community Regeneration, said: “The Council is pleased to have helped bring this new partnership between Curo and the YMCA together, which shows how our housing association partners can make best use of their housing stock to meet a wide range of needs.
“Having a roof over your head is a basic human right and we’re keen to help people move into a place they can call ‘home’, through a variety of innovative approaches.
“This is an excellent step in meeting the housing needs in the district and one I would like to see explored further.”
