The new homes where young people can gain independence

A CGI mock-up of the new accommodation on Foundry Street. Image courtesy of Oldham Council / Jigsaw Homes

Work on 15 new homes for young people at risk of homelessness has started in Oldham.

The project by Oldham Council and Jigsaw Homes will transform an unused brownfield site on Foundry Street into one-bedroom apartments for care leavers aged between 18 and 25.

The council sold the land to Jigsaw Homes in January.

The building works are being financed by the Government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme, a £200m fund to deliver 2,400 homes for vulnerable people across the UK. 

Each young adult will have a self-contained space with a bedroom, bathroom and kitchen to act as a ‘stepping stone’ towards independent living.

There will also be a communal garden and support staff on-site, who can help young people with challenges such as budgeting, employment, mental health and community connections. 

Parking spaces and cycle storage will also be available for those who need them. 

The UK has seen a huge rise in the number of care leavers facing homelessness.

A recent charity report found 18 to 20-year-olds out of care were fifteen times more likely to be sleeping rough or sofa surfing than their peers. 

Around 4,000 care leavers were recorded homeless across the UK last year, a rise of 50 per cent compared to five years ago.

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