Emmaus Coventry and Warwickshire received £30,000 in funding to expand their housing and work opportunities for homeless adults by leasing and refurbishing additional properties. They struggled to find a suitable property in the short timeframe but eventually secured a 4-unit property from a cooperative landlord. Refurbishing the property on time and on budget presented challenges, but they were able to draw on additional funds and contractor discounts to complete the work successfully and move in the first residents. The project achieved their expansion goals despite difficulties with timing, budgets and contractor management.

1. Emmaus Coventry and
Warwickshire
Vicki Urch
Director
vickiurch@emmauscoventry.org.uk

2. 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

3. 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

4. Property search
• Presented at Landlords forum with support
from Coventry City Council
• Worked with empty homes officer to identify
eligible properties
• Leg work

5. The problems

6. The winner

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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

8. Problems

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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

10. 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

11. What have we achieved

12. Where Are We Now?
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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

13. 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