11/05/26: Council to invest £1.2m to tackle rising demand for housing support
Breckland Council is to take direct action to tackle rising housing pressures head‑on, investing more than £1 million in a new initiative that delivers on its Housing Strategy and responds directly to growing demand affecting local communities. For the first time, the council is proactively intervening by creating dedicated, specialist housing support for 18-25‑year‑olds, which will help to break the cycle of homelessness facing young adults in the district.
At its Cabinet meeting today (11 May), members approved plans to establish a brand‑new supported housing service for young people. The decision follows clear evidence of increasing housing need among 18-25‑year‑olds, many of whom are at risk of repeated episodes of homelessness without targeted intervention.
This major investment aligns with Breckland Council's Housing Strategy and its Inspiring Communities programme, and marks a shift towards earlier, more holistic support. The new service will not only provide accommodation but also deliver life‑skills training, education, and wrap‑around support to help young adults build independence and long‑term stability.
Councillors heard that young people represent around 20% of all those seeking housing support in Breckland over the last three years. These findings mirror analysis by YMCA Norfolk, which will receive the £1.2m grant towards developing and delivering the new service.
Currently, young people presenting as homeless are placed in general temporary accommodation, which often lacks the specialist support needed to help them develop the skills and resilience required for independent living. This can trap individuals in a cycle of instability, while placing sustained pressure on council services and local communities.
By working together Breckland Council and YMCA aims to break that cycle by providing structured, age‑appropriate accommodation alongside education, training, and life‑skills support. This approach is designed to help young people sustain tenancies, avoid repeat homelessness, and transition successfully into long‑term independent living.
The £1.2m grant awarded to YMCA Norfolk aims to be complemented by additional funding from YMCA Norfolk and Homes England's Social and Affordable Homes Programme (subject to eligibility and approvals). YMCA Norfolk already operates successful supported housing schemes elsewhere in the county, including models where young people live in individual flats within a staffed complex — an approach that may be replicated in Breckland.
Cllr Sarah Suggitt, Breckland Council's Executive Member for Housing, said: "This is a massive investment in supporting a very vulnerable part of our community. By enabling this brand‑new service, we can take positive action to help young adults avoid becoming homeless while also redirecting support to help other local people in Breckland with a housing need.
"This new scheme isn't just about putting a temporary roof over people's heads. What's equally important is providing access to education, training and employment support, as evidence shows that's what helps reduce long‑term demand and cycles of homelessness.
"When it is up and running in the district, this new service will help to meet a significant demand today, while also setting young people on the right path to living independently in long‑term housing.
"Through our Breckland Housing Strategy, we have committed to working closely with partners to meet specialist accommodation needs. This investment directly supports our objectives around housing need, affordability, prevention, and enabling independent living, particularly in underserved areas.
"I am so pleased that we have been able to direct £1.2m that seeks to support our most vulnerable residents, build better long term outcomes in or communities and ensure a brighter future for our young people"
John Lee, Chief Executive of YMCA Norfolk, added: "There is demonstrable and ongoing need for supported accommodation for young people, including those leaving care when they turn 18. In the past year, YMCA Norfolk received 193 referrals, with the leading cause being family breakdown. Others were fleeing domestic violence or experiencing relationship breakdown, and we have also seen an emerging issue of accommodation closures. Many of these young people arrive from unsafe or unstable situations, and some have experienced rough sleeping.
"Without the right intervention, these young people are at significant risk of entering, and remaining within, the temporary accommodation system. This scheme provides a different pathway — one that supports them to move forward. A new supported housing scheme would help these young people avoid slipping into homelessness and instead provide structured support which gives them a safe home and the opportunity to develop essential skills for positive long‑term outcomes.
"YMCA Norfolk has a strong track record of supporting people elsewhere in the county and we're delighted to now have the chance to make a life‑changing difference in Breckland. I would like to thank Breckland for this significant investment in the future of its young people and for the collaborative approach that everyone at the council has demonstrated."
With funding now approved, YMCA Norfolk will begin developing detailed proposals for the service ahead of its launch in the district.
