Tenants using the mydeposits custodial deposit protection scheme have collectively donated £500,000 to youth homelessness charity Centrepoint, marking a major milestone in a partnership aimed at supporting vulnerable young people across the UK.
The total has been raised through mydeposits’ tenant interest donation scheme, which enables renters to donate the interest accrued on their protected deposit to Centrepoint when their tenancy ends.
The milestone was celebrated at Centrepoint’s London headquarters earlier this month, with representatives from across the lettings, housing and property sectors gathering to recognise the achievement (main picture).
The initiative highlights how relatively small individual contributions can combine to deliver significant support for charitable causes linked to housing and homelessness.
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Centrepoint works with young people aged between 16 and 25 who are experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness, providing accommodation, advice, training and employment support.
The £500,000 raised through the scheme will help fund the charity’s frontline services and prevention programmes.
The partnership has also involved wider engagement from colleagues across mydeposits and the HFIS Group, including fundraising events, volunteering activities and awareness campaigns.
Eddie Hooker, Chief Executive Officer of mydeposits and HFIS, says: “Reaching £500,000 in tenant donations is a humbling moment for us.
“It reflects thousands of individual decisions by tenants who wanted to help young people facing incredibly difficult circumstances. Seeing this level of support in just eighteen months is something we never expected.”
Hooker says the housing sector has an important role to play in addressing homelessness and supporting vulnerable young people.
He adds: “Economic pressures are making life incredibly hard for young people and youth homelessness is a challenge that will not disappear overnight.
“However, we are part of an industry that can, and should, play a role in changing that. Together, we can help give vulnerable young people the chance to rebuild and move forward independently.”
Michael Winehouse, Head of Relationship Fundraising at Centrepoint, says: “This incredible total is made up of thousands of individual donations, and we’re deeply touched that so many tenants have connected with our cause and chosen to give.
“Thanks to their support, we can continue providing vital services that support young people to leave homelessness behind for good.”
mydeposits said it intends to continue the partnership throughout 2026 and is working towards a long-term target of generating £1m in total donations for Centrepoint.
