YMCA East Surrey builds two new houses in Salfords to home 14 local young people

YMCA East Surrey has contracted a local developer to build two high specification semi-detached houses at a site in Horley Road, Salfords, three miles south of Redhill, Surrey.

The new project will benefit 14 young local people, all aged over 18, who are either homeless or at risk of homelessness.  The YMCA will be working closely with the local authorities who will be referring young people in need of housing and support.

Artist’s impression of the two new homes being built in Salfords

Each of the two new properties will house seven young people with their own bedrooms and shared communal facilities. The developer is Julian Curry from PACE.

Each property will have gardens, cycle storage and parking for two cars. These new build homes will be energy efficient with air sourced heat pumps and double-glazing.

Ground works began in March 2026 and the target date for completion is the end of November 2026.

The charity has secured grants from central government (Homes England), local government (Reigate & Banstead Borough Council) and charitable sources (The Netherby Trust) to cover a large element of the acquisition and build costs.

Julian Curry from Pace shakes hands with charity CEO Ian Burks

In addition, the YMCA is looking to raise a further £70,000 via the charity’s Life Change fund for the properties to be transformed into homes with new furnishings and all that a young person needs for a warm, friendly environment. Fundraising has begun and the charity raised over £2,600 from a recent Sleep Easy night in the open air, which was supported by the Reigate & Banstead Mayor, Councillor Rich Michalowski. The YMCA is staging a number of fundraising events through its Challenge Programme which are detailed on their website (https://www.ymcaeastsurrey.org.uk/events/).

YMCA East Surrey CEO Ian Burks said, “Having a safe, affordable place to live will make a massive difference for those we help but that’s not all we will be offering. Our residents will also benefit from one-to-one advice and guidance, plus a range of YMCA wrap-around support with emotional wellbeing and mental health services, volunteering and free use of our sports and fitness facilities. This will enable young people to access training and employment, build their skills and confidence and become independent and successful adults.”   

He added, “I am especially pleased that the development is new build because it will be energy-efficient and low maintenance which will be more cost-efficient and environmentally sound than refurbished older properties.”

YMCA England and Wales promotes the Building Futures campaign, a movement to help end the youth housing crisis by creating 10,000 genuinely affordable and supported homes for young people.

According to the charity Centrepoint*, youth homelessness is a growing crisis, with over 118,000 young people each year in the UK estimated to be at risk or experiencing homelessness. It often takes the form of ‘hidden homelessness’ such as sofa surfing, driven primarily by family breakdown, abuse and leaving care.  This instability severely impacts mental health, education, and safety. 

*Source :  https ://centrepoint.org.uk/ending-youth-homelessness/what-youth-homelessness