British Property Federation - Cooper Launches £4 million Homeless Project

Communities minister Yvette Cooper MP will today unveil Foundations for Life, a new venture transforming hostels into dynamic learning centres providing young homeless people with an array of new opportunities.
Launched and funded by the property industry's charity LandAid, the national initiative has been set up by homeless charity Centrepoint with the full financial backing of leading property companies, represented by the British Property Federation (BPF). The centres will help vulnerable young people by
providing training and personal support, encouraging them to develop themselves and helping them find the motivation to do so.
Along with Centrepoint's award winning experience of developing life-changing services for homeless young people, LandAid will also provide key practical contributions. These include the upgrade and provision of suitable rooms and facilities to develop young people's skills for life, work and study and the staff to deliver programmes of skills development.
Foundation for Life will also include programmes of support for young people in entering the world of work, re-entering formal education and training, and moving on to take up tenancies in the private sector.
LandAid president Mike Slade, also chief executive of Helical Bar said: "The property industry has long been committed to helping tackle homelessness and we are delighted they are backing the to back the fine work undertaken by LandAid and Centrepoint. There are many wider issues to be debated about tackling the supply of housing for young people, and we welcome further discussions with ministers on finding a suitable way forward."
Anthony Lawton, Centrepoint chief executive said: "This programme is set to radically transform the lives of thousands of homeless young people. Dedicated learning areas containing IT suites and workshop space in locations across the country coupled with motivated and supportive staff will help tackle the root causes of homelessness. Over the next four years LandAid have committed their entire fundraising efforts - estimated to be £4 million - to prevent homelessness. This is a real commitment by the property sector."
Yvette Cooper MP, Minister for Housing, said: "Foundations for Life demonstrates what can be achieved if we are determined to make change happen. I applaud the property sector and I would like to take this opportunity to urge as many property businesses as possible to support the Foundations for Life initiative, which is set to make a major contribution to my department's existing Hostel Capital Improvement Programme, which I know is already having an impact of the lives of homeless young people."

Email: ateacher@bpf.og.uk