Purpose

1625 Independent People (1625ip) have been
delivering a range of housing and support services for young
homeless people, care leavers and young refugees and asylum seekers
in the city for 40 years. The charity has been awarded funding from
the National Lottery Heritage Fund (NLHF) to develop plans to
transform Kingsley Hall - the charity’s base and Grade 2*
listed building in Old Market - into a safe, welcoming, and
thriving community hub where the city’s most disadvantaged
young people can overcome isolation, develop skills, and rebuild
their lives.
The project has already received firm support from the Mayor,
Councillor Tom Renhard and Executive officers at Bristol City
Council.
The development will create:
•New social housing for young people;
•New purpose built, flexible training spaces in partnership
with City of Bristol College and other training providers;
•A new skills kitchen and social enterprise;
•Welcoming spaces for young homeless people and care leavers
to meet.
£750,000 of capital funding will secure the delivery of 7 new
units of high-quality specialist accommodation for young people
leaving the homelessness pathway;
100% of the housing will be Affordable Housing, rented at Local
Housing Allowance;
The Feasibility Study outlines a minimum of 8 units:
•5 x 1-bedroom flats each with bathroom and kitchen
facilities
•1 x Studio with bathroom and kitchen facilities
•1 x 2-bedroom flat with bathroom and kitchen facilities

Content

This decision approves a grant funding
allocation to 1625 Independent People for £750,000 of
Affordable Housing Funding Policy (AHFP) Capital Grant Funding to
support the delivery of 7 specialist affordable housing units for
young people at the Kingsley Hall Development.
The project has already received firm support from the Mayor,
Councillor Tom Renhard and Executive officers at Bristol City
Council. A letter to support 1625 Independent People’s
funding application to the National Lottery Heritage Fund was sent
from the Mayor on 16th May 2022.
1625 Independent People were invited to bid for AHFP Grant funding
in early July 23 following approval from Executive Director at the
end of May 2023. A bid for Grant under the AHFP was subsequently
submitted by 1625IP on the 21stAugust 2023 and then assessed and
moderated by an independent officer panel. The officer
recommendation was to award.