Low-cost youth housing project gets go-ahead

The Y:Cube Housing scheme, launched by YMCA London South West, will see 36 self-contained one-bedroom flats built in the London borough of Merton after the council granted planning permission last Thursday.

Y:Cube Housing, to be built in partnership with architects Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners, is a new flatpack housing concept, which offers residents a galley kitchen, double bedroom and en suite bathroom.

Rent for each of the flats will be set at £140 per week, which YMCA London South West said is 65 per cent of the market price for one-bedroom flats in Merton.

The aim of the housing scheme is to support young people in education, employment or training, who are struggling to live independently.

The first tenants are expected to move in by April 2015, with half of residents coming from YMCA Wimbledon, and the other half being nominated by the local authority.

The concept, which took three years to develop, was tested earlier in the year by Shantae Whyte, a YMCA Wimbledon resident, who spent a week living at the Y:Cube.

She rated the prototype for having a “homely feel” to it and said it had everything she could ask for.

The scheme has the backing of mayor of London Boris Johnson, who visited the prototype in May.

Andy Redfearn, director of development at YMCA London South West, has welcomed the planning permission.

He said: “The lack of good-quality affordable housing is the number one issue for London and we believe Y:Cube Housing presents a new credible solution with a vision of a scheme in every London borough and beyond.

“We are increasingly finding it more and more difficult to find viable 'move-on' solutions for residents who have lived in supported lodgings and who are now ready to move to independent living.

“We are giving people who are unable to afford a place of their own a place to stay for three to five years while working, training or in education and saving up funds which can help them get on the housing ladder later.”