YMCA Cheltenham housing demand remains at record levels

Cheltenham

YMCA Cheltenham has provided more than 100,000 nights of emergency accommodation in the last 12 months, more than double the 47,000 nights the charity provided five years ago, highlighting the growing demand for housing support across Gloucestershire.

The charity has been supporting vulnerable people across the county since 1855. It disclosed its figures from its latest Annual Impact Report at its 170th Annual General Meeting, held at Hatherley Manor last night.

Between 2025 to 2026 the charity supported 652 people through its housing services, including 116 families, 78 children and 55 young people aged 16-24. The charity, which also coordinates FEED Cheltenham, supporting six independent community pantries, also helped feed 51% more households last year compared to the year before. This included 1,338 children and 2,695 people overall.

The figures come as homelessness continues to place increasing pressure on communities across the South West. Latest Government data shows that in the first three months of this year 3,940 households in the South West were at risk of homelessness, a 21% increase from the three months before, including 73 in Cheltenham and 164 in Gloucester. This is against a national backdrop of 39,200 households assessed as being threatened with homelessness during the same period, up 1.8% on the previous year.

The UK’s homelessness epidemic has also come into the spotlight in recent weeks with, Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, pledging £442 million funding to end rough sleeping by Christmas.

Joseph Main, Chief Executive of YMCA Cheltenham, said: “The challenges facing our local communities are continuing to mount. We saw a 6% rise in the number of residents going through our PATHWAY HOME programme last year, helping them off the streets or to overcome challenging situations, to once again connect with society and live independently through our supported accommodation.

"While every number represents an individual person or family facing difficult circumstances, our figures also show the incredible resilience of our community and the impact that early intervention and sustained support can have.”

In August this year the Government committed £39 billion to boost the delivery of social and affordable homes over the next 10 years, with an ambition to build 1.5 million homes by the end of this Parliament.

Joseph added: "We are seeing continued demand across our housing and community support services, from people at risk of homelessness to families struggling with the cost-of-living. Through our accommodation, PATHWAY HOME programme and our partnership led FEED Cheltenham service, we are committed to ensuring people receive the support they need not just to get through a crisis, but to build a more positive and independent future."

Key YMCA Cheltenham 2025/26 Data highlights 2025/2026

101,470 nights of accommodation provided

652 people supported through housing services

116 families housed in accommodation

78 children and 55 young people accommodated

89% positive progression rate through the charity’s PATHWAY HOME programme

70% moved into a positive destination after leaving YMCA Cheltenham

1,647 households supported through FEED Cheltenham, up 51% year-on-year

1,338 children supported through FEED Cheltenham

2,695 people supported through FEED Cheltenham services

More details about YMCA Cheltenham housing demand remains at record levels (External Link)

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