On Tuesday 27th May, the Bishop of Kensington visited Youth Community Home in West London, a pioneering initiative that has been providing safe, affordable housing to young people starting their lives in the capital, including newly granted refugees and those without recourse to public funds.
Shelter Community was founded by a group of Christians united by a shared commitment to support young people facing housing challenges. Their vision of providing a safe home for vulnerable young adults is supported by three local churches: Christ Church Turnham Green, St Paul’s Hammersmith, and St Michael and All Angels Chiswick. In partnership with the Highway One Trust, which purchased a former bed and breakfast, Shelter Community has transformed the property into a warm, welcoming home that offers affordable housing and low-level support to seven young people in need.
During her visit, Bishop Emma toured the house and spoke with some current residents to understand how the initiative has impacted them, as well as the couple who manage the house, Jeannine and Stephan.
Speaking about the visit, The Rt Revd Dr Emma Ineson, The Bishop of Kensington, said:
This Youth Community Home provides a lifeline for young people who are struggling with the housing pressures in London today.
Not only does it offer practical support and safe, affordable housing, but I’ve been moved by the way Jeanine, Stephan, and the wider team create a sense of family – where everyone is made to feel known, valued, and loved through shared daily life.
This Home is a beautiful example of offering help, hospitality and hope to protect and transform lives for good.
In partnership with Housing Justice and their long-running Hosting Project, the Home offers 1-2 dedicated bedspaces for vulnerable young people from a migrant background, who have no recourse to public funds. The Hosting Project offers a community-led response to displacement and homelessness – connecting people with spare rooms to individuals who need a safe and supportive place to stay. Housing Justice values are inspired by the Christian principles of love, nurture, and partnerships.
Young adults can stay at Youth Community Home for up to two years, and are encouraged throughout their stay to pursue education, training, or employment, as well as a long-term housing solution with the help of charity partners.
Further information
- Shelter Community is a Christian-led housing initiative providing affordable, safe accommodation for young people in London in a community setting.
Learn more on their website. - Housing Justice are recruiting hosts in London to offer a spare room to someone who’s experienced displacement due to war, poverty or persecution, and is now homeless and destitute here in the UK. Support and training provided. More information can be found on the Housing Justice website.
- For people looking to earn a rental income from their spare room, Refugee Lodgings connects compassionate people with refugees in need of a stable home. More information.
The Youth Community House Vision
