Amazing CMK Business Improvement District is to sponsor part of this nationally significant development with a £75,000 investment across the next three years, supporting their Stage One accommodation, the first step to getting a young person off the streets.
The £18 million project will create 199 room/flats for young local people in difficult circumstances and sometimes already living on the streets. Amazing CMK’s investment will be used to furnish the rooms and the BID is the initial sponsors in a capital funding drive that sees the YMCA looking for other businesses and organisations to help complete this vitally important project.
The announcement shows a considerable financial commitment from Amazing CMK in helping to provide a long-term solution to homelessness issue that has arisen in Central Milton Keynes, said BID chief executive Melanie Beck.
- Pictured: Amazing CMK chief executive Melanie Beck and Simon Green, her counterpart at YMCA Milton Keynes.
She added: “It’s no secret that the homelessness situation across the city centre and beyond has become a serious issue over the last two-three years and we believe this YMCA project is a hugely significant step to help these young and vulnerable people off the streets and giving them support going forward.
“Our financial commitment is a tangible and practical way to work with partners to tackle the homelessness issue which was part of our mandate.”
The YMCA no longer receives any state or local authority funding support, yet it gives assistance to over 250 young people a year, helping them to come off the streets into purpose-built accommodation, find employment and providing life skills such financial management and cooking, as well as supporting their metal well-being.
YMCA chief executive Simon Green said: “Housing options for young people in Milton Keynes are extremely limited and as a result many young people find themselves in a homeless situation.”
He called on the business community to rally to support the programme. Each room costs £2,500 to furnish.
“The £75,000 provided by Amazing CMK is a massive help for us in achieving our target – paying for all 30 of our Stage-1 rooms,” Mr Green added.
“The YMCA has taken the bold decision to borrow heavily and invest in youth housing in our town. We are proud to deliver this for the young people of Milton Keynes but we have used all our resources and need to raise £500,000 by September 2019 to furnish the building.
“Providing furniture is hugely important as many young people come to us with nothing except a bag of clothes and a mobile phone.”
