GLOUCESTER YOUTH HOUSING ASSOCIATION
The origins of GYHA go back to research carried out in 1982 which looked into the housing needs of Asian and Black young people in Gloucester. The research findings, captured in a report called ‘The Hidden Homeless’ found that young people from minority groups experienced significant discrimination when securing housing. The study also demonstrated a need for dedicated housing and convinced Gloucester City Council to support the development of a multi cultural hostel. Gloucester Youth Housing Association was formed to manage the new hostel and in September 1986, in partnership with Solon Housing Association, Winnie Mandela House opened (now known as The Old School House).
GYHA continued to meet our original aims until 1992 when, in order to maintain funding, GYHA entered into a service level agreement with Social Services to secure Children Act funding and GYHA’s focus moved to housing and supporting young people leaving care. Significantly this funding prompted an expansion in the mid 1990’s of new low and medium level supported housing across Gloucester.
The next big phase in growth came between 2001 and 2003 with the preparation for the introduction of Supporting People. GYHA expanded to become a countywide provider with the opening of two new high support assessment centres in Lydney and Gloucester and the transfer of existing services in Tewkesbury and Cinderford to GYHA.
Today GYHA provides 99 bed spaces of supported housing and is a significant provider of housing and support to young people across Gloucestershire. As well as developing essential new housing and support services we have established a resident development programme that ensures each young person develops the many skills needed to live independently. We also host many annual events for young people including ‘Black History Day’ and ‘Empowerment Day’. The annual Residential ensures that young people experience something and somewhere different.
Importantly we have stayed involved in the development of services for young people; informing and influencing the key decision makers, ensuring that the voices of young people remain heard.