07.03.12
Housing scheme launched to aid employment
Westminster Council is introducing new shorter tenancies, aimed at people who would not normally be eligible for social housing, to help tackle youth unemployment, supporting young people into training or jobs.
The move follows an Acevo report which suggested that 1 in 5 young people in theUKare Neet.
The pilot scheme will offer two-year housing tenancies to young people who are willing to start college or training. They will be given employment support, mentoring, advice on work schemes, career training, CV guidance and interview skills to prepare for the workforce.
The scheme is being trialled in partnership with Shepherds Bush Housing Group and the InComE project, aiming to break the cycle of dependency. At the end of the tenancies, the young people will be supported to move into shared accommodation or intermediate housing.
Cllr Jonathan Glanz, Westminster Council’s Cabinet member for housing and corporate property, said: “Youth unemployment is a growing concern and local authorities must think of new and effective ways to tackle the issue.
“We want to help young people take those initial steps towards employment by providing them with shorter and more incentivising tenancies to kick start their careers.
“By providing training and employment advice we can offer young people not only accommodation in centralLondonbut an opportunity give something back to the local economy.”
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