Croydon’s young people who have experienced care will have access to improved accommodation and support in a new shared living home.

A report was agreed at cabinet on 16 October for the project in Central Parade, New Addington, where the new residences will be created subject to planning.

The new housing will offer self-contained apartments with communal areas, and a 24-hour concierge for additional safety.

The building will provide shared kitchens, collaboration spaces and training facilities. These facilities will enable the young people to learn life skills such as managing finances, setting up utility accounts and cooking nutritious meals, to enable them to move safely into independent living. They will also have access to training for employment to gain work.

The project supports Mayor Perry’s priority to give all children and young people in Croydon the chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential. It follows the launch of a Joint Housing and Children’s Social Care Panel last year, to develop a clear plan to meet care-experienced young people’s housing needs before they reach the age of 18.

The report agreed at cabinet agrees to the sale of the council-owned building in Central Parade, New Addington, to a partnership involving MV Developments and their partner Hollybrooks, who will build the homes. The council will then lease the property back, to provide the much-needed housing.

Once the housing is completed, the YMCA will provide care and support for the residents, as well as managing the property and tenancies. The council will work in partnership with the YMCA and continue to support the young people as part of its corporate parenting duties.

“We want to improve the type and level of accommodation provided to care-experienced young people to improve their lives. This is why we are creating improved accommodation and a support scheme in New Addington.

“This initiative is part of our work to ensure our young people have the best start in their transition into adulthood, as part of our priority of children and young people having the best chance to thrive, learn and fulfil their potential.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon