A decade of affordable housing
There’s a growing group of young people in the UK doing everything “right” by working hard, showing up, trying to build a future, and still finding themselves locked out of safe and affordable housing.
For many, having a job is no longer enough. Rents are rising faster than wages.
Young people are spending huge chunks of their income just trying to keep a roof over their head.
Others are sofa surfing, stuck in unsuitable accommodation, or facing impossible choices between work, rent, food and travel.
And for those without family support, the situation can quickly become overwhelming.
This is the reality facing thousands of young people across the West Midlands and beyond. At St Basils, we see it every day.
We meet young people who are working, training and trying to move forward with their lives, but who simply cannot access genuinely affordable housing. Young people who want independence, stability and opportunity — but are finding the system stacked against them.
That’s why we created Live and Work
Launched in 2015, Live and Work is an innovative housing model designed specifically for young people aged 18–25 who are working or completing an apprenticeship. It offers safe, affordable accommodation with rents kept well below market levels, giving young people the chance to build stability, save money and plan for the future.
Live and Work is about giving young people the chance to stay in work, improve their wellbeing and believe in their future again.
And now, ten years on, an independent evaluation by the Centre for the New Midlands has revealed the true impact of that investment.
The findings are powerful
For every £1 invested into Live and Work, £7.97 of social and economic value is created.
Hundreds of young people have already benefited from the scheme, with many moving into long-term employment, improving their mental wellbeing and progressing towards independent living.
The report also highlights something communities across the UK are increasingly recognising: affordable housing is not just a housing issue.
It affects employment. It affects mental health. It affects education. It affects confidence, opportunity and life chances.
Without stable housing, it becomes harder to keep a job, maintain routines or plan ahead. Without affordable options, many young people are left trapped in cycles of insecurity and instability.
Live and Work was created to break that cycle.
Read the full report below, or scroll down to see our key findings.
Space to breathe
By combining affordable housing with employment opportunities and light-touch support, the model helps young people move away from crisis and towards independence.
Young people involved in the evaluation described finally having “space to breathe”. Others spoke about feeling safe for the first time in years.
Some had moved repeatedly between temporary accommodation, sofa surfing arrangements or difficult home situations before arriving at Live and Work. Having a stable place to live changed everything.
It meant they could focus on work. It meant they could sleep properly. It meant they could save. It meant they could think about the future.
This report tells those stories.
It also sets out the growing national challenge around youth homelessness, housing affordability and the lack of suitable options for young people who are working but still unable to access housing they can realistically afford.
Our hope
The evaluation explores why models like Live and Work matter now more than ever — not only for young people themselves, but for communities, employers, public services and society as a whole.
Because investing in young people early prevents bigger problems later. It reduces pressure on homelessness services. It supports better mental health. It helps young people stay in employment. It creates stronger communities.
Most importantly, it gives young people a genuine chance to thrive.
As St Basils continues to expand Live and Work across the West Midlands, we hope this report inspires housing providers, policymakers, employers and partners to think differently about affordable housing for young people to make an impact that can last a lifetime.
£7.97 created for every £1 invested
236 young people supported over ten years
Affordable housing supports employment
Young people without family support face the greatest challenges
Housing and employment are closely linked
The model can be replicated