A former school in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea is set to become a YMCA young person’s housing project as part of a £300,000 project announced this week.
Sedgemoor district councillors have this week agreed to give financial support for the YMCA to bring the former La Retraite convent and school back into use as a 13-unit young person’s housing facility.
Councillors say the scheme will increase the number of affordable homes in Burnham at a time when young people find it increasingly difficult to find affordable homes. It will also reduce homelessness and increase the quality and availability of affordable housing for vulnerable young people.
The scheme has been boosted by external government grant funding of £156,000 from the Homes and Communities Agency’s Empty Homes Programme. Sedgemoor District Council will support the YMCA with £28,500 per year for the next five years, up to a total of £142,500.
“This property will not only provide much-needed bespoke housing for young people, but will make use of a property which is currently sitting empty and unused,” council spokeswoman Claire Faun told Burnham-On-Sea.com.
“The funding means the current owners will allow the YMCA to rent the property in Jaycroft Road for up to five years on a ‘rent-to-buy’ basis.”
“This proposal will allow the YMCA to secure the units with immediate effect, whilst allowing them additional time to secure the necessary capital funds to purchase the property.”
Pictured: The former La Retraite convent and school, which has been taken over by the YMCA. (Pic: Saxons Estate Agents)
