Hornsey YMCA is the largest direct access hostel in the London Borough of Haringey.

Last year the Association gave a home to more than two hundred young people. We operate a 152-bed, special needs hostel for young adults between the ages of 18 and 30 with pressing housing need. All rooms are fully furnished with divan beds, wardrobes, desks and vanity units fitted with bed lights and shaving points. Baths, showers and toilet facilities are provided in each corridor plus two disabled showers and toilets.

The Association has deserved reputation for dealing with challenging residents in vulnerable circumstances. However, the role of many staff has changed with the changing environment.

The focus of our work is on helping disadvantaged young people, aged 18-30, who are homeless or in housing need to achieve the transition from dependence to independence. The approach to the young person’s needs is holistic. The YMCA offers integrated access to, affordable accommodation, training, personal development, guidance and job searching facilities. The relationship with the young person is based on a formal agreement as to how the facilities and local community resources will be used in making the transition to independence, commitment to which is a condition of continued residence.

In addition to the hostel there are a number of projects that support the hostel and its residents:

• Restaurant: a restaurant is located on the ground floor. Residents are provided with a full English breakfast daily plus dinner Mondays to Fridays. Lunch is served at moderate prices for the anyone in the community.


• Residents Lounge: located on the ground floor. The lounge houses a mini library for residents and doubles as a games room.


• Training Opportunities:Hornsey YMCA is an Investor in People. We offer residents the chance to develop their skills in literacy, Numeracy and IT.


• The Annexe Advice and Counselling Centre:provides residents advice on housing and resettlement, assistance with finding work and counselling