Emmaus Coventry and Warwickshire

Vicki UrchDirector

vickiurch@emmauscoventry.org.uk

About Emmaus Coventry and Warwickshire

• Provide accommodation and work to previously homeless adults in a supportive environment

• At time of bid providing 15 rooms in main Community

• Rent a house providing an additional 3 rooms• Provide staff accommodation for two staff

members

The Money•Joint bid with other Emmaus Communities•Bid to provide additional 8 – 10 rooms•Awarded £30,000 to lease and refurbish up to 3 properties providing 7 – 10 rooms•Given very short time frame (completion June 2013)•Had to have ten year lease•Delay in the process meant even shorter time frame

Property search

• Presented at Landlords forum with support from Coventry City Council

• Worked with empty homes officer to identify eligible properties

• Leg work

The problems

The winner

• Landlord contacted us• Viewed with low expectations• 4 storey property with flat on each floor• No major works• Been empty for over 2 years• Survey• Lease negotiations• Donation from Landlord• Lease signed January

Problems

• Managing architects and contractors difficult• Keeping them on site and working to schedule• Understanding the VAT position• The budget far exceeded the original £30,000

grant (£53,000)• Time• Work ability of our residents• Amount of staff time used

Solutions• Able to move an unspent budget from

another Emmaus project into the Coventry budget (£15,000)

• Negotiated with the landlord who donated £8000 towards non structural items

• Negotiated good prices with contactors (floor coverings throughout £2,800)

• Kept contractors on schedule – saying late delivery would prevent access to funds to pay

What have we achieved

Where Are We Now?

• Staff flat occupied• First four residents moved in• Temporary HIMO licence granted• Still some decorating and superficial works to

complete• Despite the short time frame works will

completed on time and on schedule

Highs and lows

• One large property• Relationship with

landlord• Relationship with local

authority• Able to meet our 5 year

expansion plan• Committed staff team• Negotiation skills

• Delay in initial funding decision

• Time to find property• Getting information on

VAT issue• Expectations on what

can be achieved with limited funding

• Time frame, staff have worked tirelessly to complete