Charity seeks property search support for replacement and temporary accommodation

What do they need help with?

YMCA London City and North (YMCA LCAN) is embarking on a major redevelopment project to replace its ageing accommodation in Crouch End. The current site provides homes for 154 young people who have experienced homelessness.

To enable this redevelopment, the organisation needs to secure alternative accommodation—either on a temporary basis during construction or as a longer-term solution to expand provision.

They are seeking pro bono support from a property search or agency partner with strong knowledge of the north and east London property market. The focus is on identifying suitable existing accommodation or buildings with potential for conversion within a two-year timeframe.

Support is required to:

• Work collaboratively to develop a clear property brief
• Undertake targeted property searches across key boroughs
• Identify 3–5 viable sites for further appraisal and feasibility assessment

Preferred locations include the London Borough of Haringey, with additional interest in Barnet, Islington, Hackney, and Newham.

Potential opportunities may include existing residential or hostel-style accommodation, or underused buildings—such as office space—that could be converted into safe, high-quality housing for young people.

This project is critical to maintaining housing provision for vulnerable young people while enabling long-term improvement of YMCA LCAN’s accommodation offer. The right support will help unlock suitable sites quickly and ensure continuity of safe, stable homes for those who need them most.

Timeline

As soon as possible

About the organisation

YMCA London City and North has been supporting young people experiencing homelessness since 1903. Today, the organisation provides nearly 400 safe bed spaces every night across five accommodation sites in north and east London.

Working closely with frontline organisations, they offer young people a stable place to live for up to two years. This gives them the time and support needed to rebuild their lives, move into education or employment, and secure long-term housing.

Each year, YMCA LCAN supports over 600 young people to move towards independence. Their work addresses a growing need in London, where youth homelessness continues to rise and many young people face unsafe or unstable living situations.

By providing safe accommodation alongside tailored support, YMCA LCAN plays a vital role in helping young people break the cycle of homelessness and build a more secure future.

http://www.ymcalondoncan.org