Member News: Barnardo's breaks ground on new starter homes for young people

Work has begun on a ground-breaking housing programme designed to support young people at risk of homelessness in Glasgow. Working with the local council and construction partner Enevate Homes, leading children’s charity Barnardo’s Scotland will build five ‘Gap Homes’, which are purpose-built houses for young people leaving the care system. 

 A Gap Home provides high quality, affordable and additional housing for care-experienced young people, and provides the opportunity for a young person to live in a new property in an established community with support available to them from Barnardo’s. 

The Gap Homes programme was developed by Barnardo’s in response to the lack of suitable housing and support available to young people at the point of leaving care. Poor quality housing and a lack of support increases the likelihood of homelessness. 

This is exacerbated by a lack of suitable accommodation for young people preparing to live independently. Glasgow* is one of numerous sites across the UK where Barnardo’s is constructing Gap Homes, with existing Gap Homes in Stirling and Renfrewshire – and more to come. Young people are expected to be resident in a Gap Home for up to two years. As landlord, Barnardo’s can offer flexibility on the length of tenure, reflecting each young person’s individual needs. 

Click here to read the full article.

---