1. Director
Progressive Lifestyle Solutions NW CIC

2. Why we applied
for this funding
•A more „rounded‟ and complete
service.
•Moves service users out of the
“Benefits Trap.”
•Introduction of Homesteading
and Work-Based volunteering
opportunities.
•Improves chance of reintegration
back to normal society.
•Will improve the sustainability of
our organisation.
Our existing operation:-

3. Two-Fold answer to this:-

4. 1. Amongst Our Service Users
Low Priority Band on
PropertyPool
“Huge Undersupply”
of affordable housing
in Liverpool.
Returning to work
could return a risk of
homelessness
Affordability
•Single adult males often found themselves in Priority Band D or E, meaning the properties they would likely be
offered were one bedroom flats in areas that other people had turned down. Finding an affordable and spacious
property in a desirable area was often a non-starter.
•Liverpool City Council‟s latest Housing Strategy confirmed that there was indeed an undersupply of affordable
housing in Liverpool. Many of our service users found themselves waiting for long periods of time to even be
offered a viewing.
•Returning to full-time employment following a period of time on benefits means that service users are no longer
eligible for supported housing.
•Moving into new accommodation is by no means a seamless procedure. With a lack of affordable housing, the
only viable alternative for most people is to look at the Private Rented Sector. Unfortunately, a recession and lack
of readily available mortgage products had a positive/negative effect on this sector. Landlords were able to
become more selective when finding tenants, rental values crept up, and prospective tenants were asked to pay
large deposits, upfront rent and pay to furnish their new homes.

5. 2. In the North Liverpool Area
YES!!

6. •Stability and certainty for tenants
•Self-Regulation (within reason!)
•Asset base for our organisation
•Financial sustainability and income
•Ability to expand the programme and
borrow against our assets.

7. Identifying Suitable Properties
The Good
 Local Estate Agents
The Not-SoGood
 Personal Contacts
 Council Lists
 Rightmove
 Auctions
 Land Registry Searches
 Private Landlords

8. Examples of our work
Before
After

9. What‟s Next?
 Finish redevelopment of our final properties
 Offer permanent contract of employment to
apprentice
 Liaise with our current bank to introduce borrowing
facility
 Continue with volunteering outreach and replicate to
other sides of our organisation
 Look forward to Rounds 2, 3, 4 and 5 of this
funding!!