Origin Housing and New Horizon Youth Centre celebrate the one year anniversary of an innovative housing project for homeless young people

Channel 4 journalist Jon Snow joined Origin Housing and New Horizon Youth Centre to celebrate the one year anniversary of the opening of Project 99, a scheme to house homeless young people in Camden.  

In the last year Project 99 provided much needed affordable housing and support to 13 young people that were formerly sofa-surfing, sleeping rough or about to become homeless. None of the young people could access any other form of accommodation.

Designed to overcome some of the problems that keep young people trapped in homelessness, including having to find a large deposit and pay expensive private sector rents – the young people are housed in a specially renovated property owned by Origin Housing. Project 99 offers a home along with a year of support from New Horizon Youth Centre for all residents, covering everything from life skills to emotional and mental health support, to help with education and employment, giving them all they need to begin living independently after their residency ends.

Since the project began, all 13 original residents have been through the programme and moved on to new homes, with three of the young people accessing apprenticeships, two getting fulltime jobs and three securing a place in college. Ten new residents have now been welcomed into their new homes.  

One of the new residents at Project 99 speaking about his new home said “I feel like this place is one of those rare opportunities: in a corridor full of doors that are the same, this is the golden door that just appeared! It gives you an opportunity to get on your feet and know where you’re going, I’m really grateful for all the people who are helping me.”

Speaking at the one-year celebration Jon Snow, Patron of New Horizon, said “Today is a very big day for us, I’d like to thank Origin for knocking on our door and asking if we knew anyone who could use this space for homes. Suddenly, neighbourless people became loved by their neighbours. To have a space so close to our centre – money couldn’t buy it. It’s incredible and absolutely wonderful, it’s my great honour to be here and I am very thankful for Origin granting us this space.”

Origin Housing Chief Executive Carol Carter thanked New Horizon, saying “A large number of people have already gone on to further accommodation, employment, education and training. I’m absolutely thrilled to see the project going as well as it is; it’s a reminder of the power that a few individuals can have to make such a massive positive change in the community.”