The OVO Foundation has pledged over £900,000 to tackle youth poverty and homelessness across England and Scotland over the next three years.

Expanding the Future Builders programme will create 20 new and affordable homes for young people who have experienced or are at risk of homelessness.

Future Builders gives young people the skills and opportunity to renovate semi-derelict homes that they can live in. Crucially, the rent for young people living in Future Builders homes is very affordable (usually one-third of the local market rate), which helps to remove a financial barrier.

The young people will also receive support to access education, employment and training (EET). The aim at the end of the programme is for all young people to be able to live and work independently.

Gaby Sethi, head of the OVO Foundation, commented: “We are thrilled that Future Builders is expanding and will launch for the first time in Scotland. Given the success of the scheme across the UK, we are looking forward to helping more young people escape homelessness whilst providing them with the relevant training or support. So far we have already refurbished 7 properties, creating over 20 homes and supporting 133 young people over the last three years.”

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