Graham Longbone Probe

1. 26th February 2015
Graham Longbone

2. PROBE (HULL) Ltd
 Social Enterprise established in 1997
 Aims “to work with local people and businesses to help build prosperous,
safe and attractive neighbourhoods”.
 Achieved by:
 helping local people into employment,
 providing training,
 creating sustainable jobs,
 encouraging new business start ups,
 undertaking extensive home security,
 refurbishing void properties,
 environmental and youth inclusion activities
 Since 2012, focus on Empty Homes Initiative

3. Empty Homes Initiative (Round 1)
 Funding secured to refurbish 18, 2/3 bedroom houses
 Purchase and repair model
 Properties empty 6 months – 10 years

4. Empty Homes Initiative (Round 1)
 Partnership with Hull College, providing on-site training and work
experience for over 300 students
 Hull College winner of National and International Green Gown Awards for
‘Social Responsibility’ – East Hull Voids

5. Empty Homes Initiative (Round 2)
 Funding secured to convert 4 commercial properties into 18 affordable
apartments and 5 affordable 2/3 bedroom terraced houses
• Lion House (7)
• City Life House (7)
• Rank House (4)
• Belmont Club (5)
 Plus 10 2/3 bedroom houses

6. Lion House
 ‘The Lion Hotel’, former public hotel
 Located off Hessle Road/Boulevard, and local landmark within the fishing
industry
 Empty over 10 years
 Problems for the nearby residents:
• Vandalism
• Fire damage
• Fly tipping

7. Lion House
 Refurbishment contract was awarded to a local contractor (PJPS Ltd)
 14 week refurbishment schedule providing 1 and 2 bedroom apartments
 After ‘snagging’ officially handed back to PROBE in November 2014
 Refurbishment embraced by the local community
 Building officially opened by the previous Landlady of The Lion Hotel
 All apartments occupied by January 2015
 All tenants demonstrated the need of social housing
 Refurbishment has been shortlisted for the RICS Awards for Residential
and Regeneration

8. Lion House

9. Success Factors
 Funding
 Partnerships
 Enthusiasm