Network Homes and New Horizon Youth Centre to house more homeless young Londoners

Network Homes and New Horizon Youth Centre have announced an expansion of Project Vista, a joint partnership supporting 16-21 year olds across London who have been made homeless.

Network Homes is providing two additional flats with five bedrooms in Islington for homeless young people. This follows two already established flats and brings the total number of young people who can benefit from these homes to 20.

New Horizon Youth Centre provides holistic support to homeless young people  who may have suffered from  a family breakdown or domestic abuse. Network Homes partnered with the charity last year to provide accommodation for homeless young people on low wages or ready to move into employment through New Horizon Youth Centre’s Employment, Education and Training Programme.  

Project Vista rooms are managed by and allocated to young people by New Horizon Youth Centre and individuals are able to live in the property for one year, after which the charity helps them move on to the private rented sector.

The decision to expand Project Vista follows a successful first phase which saw all residents take on extra work hours, accept promotions, maintain or take jobs they would otherwise have lost due to not having permanent place to live. The stability has also helped residents save for a deposit and develop independent living skills.

Helping to tackle homelessness is a big part of what we do at Network Homes so we are excited to be expanding our partnership with the New Horizon Youth Centre. We are committed to our social purpose and helping those who are affected by the housing crisis so it’s great to be able to play our part in providing homes for some of the most vulnerable people in our society.

Helen Evans, Network Homes’ chief executive

New Horizon Youth Centre CEO Shelagh O’Connor, said:

“The partnership between New Horizon Youth Centre and Network Homes is an exciting and innovative model providing suitable accommodation and targeted support for young people in housing need.  Project Vista further enables New Horizon Youth Centre to achieve our mission of giving young people the stable accommodation they need to start to build a positive future through employment, work opportunities or study.” 

One of the first young people to be housed described her family home as “dysfunctional and overcrowded… with lots of tension and arguments.” Speaking of her new home she said: “The accommodation is lovely, me and my housemates are like a little family. I feel like I can enjoy my life.”