The issue of housing affordability in the UK is felt across all ages and backgrounds, but none feel this more acutely than young people. The Government spends an estimated £8.5bn per year on youth homelessness, along with £2.3bn on temporary accommodation.  

So, what are the solutions and what can we, as planners, do to facilitate them?  

Iceni Projects was invited to speak on the Panel at Centrepoint’s National Youth Homelessness Conference in Coventry last week, where the role of affordable, stepping stone homes for young, and often vulnerable, people was top of the agenda. 

Stepping stone homes are an affordable housing product, designed to bridge the gap between supported housing and the private housing sector where high rents often mean that young people become trapped.  

Iceni is working with Centrepoint to help deliver their Independent Living Programme – an affordable housing model which, through capped rents and manageable, right-sized studio apartments, specifically aims to plug this gap.  

Two models are at the forefront of the intended approach to delivery – either a standalone development which must navigate the already complex planning process independently, or as part of a wider planning permission comprising an element of a development’s affordable housing requirements. 

However, there are challenges in delivering this type of housing, particularly as the model is not yet widely understood among Local Planning Authorities. 

Accordingly, the key question for the Panel was: how can we facilitate the widespread delivery of stepping stone homes within an under-resourced planning system and in an environment where housing delivery is challenging, whilst bringing the public along with us? 

Establishing clear direction in planning policy is the first step. The recent draft NPPF consultation goes some way to recognising stepping stone homes in national policy-making for the first time. This should provide a basis for support within emerging development plans.  

This will help to stimulate delivery, and with the benefit of a proof of concept (Reuben House in Peckham was opened in 2023 by Centrepoint ), decision makers across the country can gain confidence that this is a viable, fit-for-purpose option to meet an identified need.  

Lastly, given addressing the housing crisis has cross-party support, there needs to be more positivity in community engagement around such models. This means partnering with Councils across their services and a clear public consultation process which enables existing residents to understand stepping stone homes and embrace young people into their communities. 

Given the overarching government objectives to expedite housing delivery, there has never been a better time for new and innovative approaches to expand affordable housing options for young people. 

If you would like to understand more about stepping stone homes or how the model could be integrated into one of your sites, please get in touch with Simon Fowler or Will Clutton in the Iceni Planning Team.