The document summarizes Methodist Action North West's work growing a social lettings agency. It provides housing and support services to help homeless and vulnerable people. Through its Empty Homes Programme, funded by grants totaling £1.25 million, it restored over 100 empty properties. This provided affordable housing for at least 200 people and brought private investment to the local economy. The program was a success due to collaborating with local partners and empowering communities with local knowledge.

1. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
METHODIST ACTION NORTH WEST LTD
SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES –
GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
EHCGP London Event, 19th February 2015
Stephen Hetherington BA(Hons) DipArch MArch RIBA

2. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
Methodist Action North West
Founded in 2011 as a development of a homeless shelter which had existed
since 1982 in the basement of Central Methodist Church, Preston.
We are dedicated to helping people who are struggling against
homelessness, poverty, lack of opportunities and exclusion through a suite of
mutually supportive, locally based projects.
Last year’s statistics were:
 Fox Street Community – accommodation & support for 68 homeless men
 Floating Support & Outreach Support Teams – Support for over 220 single
people and families to sustain their tenancies & live independently
 A Place to Live - in partnership with the local authority, we housed 266
people in the private rented sector for those in the greatest housing need
WHAT DO
WE DO?
 Portland Street – provided accommodation
& support for 30 homeless men
 No Second Night Out – provided emergency
accommodation to 98 people
 Cedar House Delivered free counselling &
advice to 340 clients on low or no income
 Blackpool Food Partnership – Distributed
2260 food parcels a forum for advice &
support with Blackpool City Council
 Empty Homes Project – restored over 100
properties and housed a minimum of 200
people through A Place to Live

3. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
Housing
Provision
e.g.
A Place to
Live
Specialist
Provision
e.g.
Fox Street
Tenancy
Support
e.g.
Outreach
Advocacy &
Consultancy
e.g.
Community
Cohesion
Training &
Employment
Finance &
Debt
Repairs &
Adaptation
e.g.
Empty Homes
Health &
Wellbeing
e.g.
Cedar House
HOW DO
WE DO I T?
STRUCTURE
• Housing Provision at Core
• ‘Key’ Services support the Core and each other
• Services can vary to suit need or agenda
• Housing provision has
income potential
• Services more likely
to be grant funded

4. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
PARTNERSHIPS
HOW DO
WE DO I T?
Housing
Provision
e.g.
A Place to
Live
Specialist
Provision
e.g.
Fox Street
Tenancy
Support
e.g.
Outreach
Advocacy &
Consultancy
e.g.
Church Work
Training &
Employment
Finance &
Debt
Repairs &
Adaptation
e.g.
Empty Homes
Health &
Wellbeing
e.g.
Cedar House
PARTNERSHIPS
• Themed services allow us to
easily partner with others
• Work can be -
• Localised
• Targeted
• Flexible

5. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
THE EMPTY HOMES PROGRAMME
EHCGP – granted £500,000
EPCGP – granted £750,000
The simple & flexible procedures have allowed us to –
 Take a proactive approach to the problem
 Respond in a flexible & strategic way to each property
 Build our existing housing project to create affordable,
high quality accommodation which encourages long
term, sustainable tenancies
 Build our relationships with Local Authorities, local
businesses and the local community
The Programme has allowed us to step in, where the 22
local RP’s did not, using Collaboration & Empowerment
WHAT DI D
WE DO?

6. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
• Property Investment
• Financial Investment
• Safety Checks
• Building Works
• Maintenance
• Empty Homes
• Housing Options
• Technical Services
• Finance Control
• Property Services
• Tenant Services
• Support Services
MANW
Local
Authority
Building
Owner
Contractor
THE EMPTY HOMES PROGRAMME - COLLABORATIONWHAT DI D
WE DO?

7. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
WHAT DI D
WE DO?
THE EMPTY HOMES PROGRAMME – EMPOWERMENT
There is no unique solution to the problem of empty
homes – one size definitely does not fit all
The Programme has allowed us to use & develop –
 Contacts & Communication
 Cooperation & Innovation
 Funding & Sustainability
The community basis for the Programme has ensured our
success through the strength in local knowledge, local
experiences, local priorities, local resources & local needs

8. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
WHAT
HAVE
WE DONE ?
E G AN
STRE E T,
PRE STON
 4 x 1 bed & 3 x 2 bed flats
 1 x 1 bed & 2 x 2 bed houses
 9 years empty
 £64,000 empty homes contribution
 £142,000 owner contribution
 LHA affordable rental rate

9. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
WHAT
HAVE
WE DONE ?
E G AN
STRE E T,
PRE STON

10. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
WHAT
HAVE
WE DONE ?
E G AN
STRE E T,
PRE STON

11. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
WHAT
HAVE
WE DONE ?
E G AN
STRE E T,
PRE STON

12. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
 1 x 1 bed & 14 x 2 bed houses
 9 years empty
 £148,000 empty homes contribution
 £217,000 owner contribution
 LHA affordable rental rate
WHAT
HAVE
WE DONE ?
CUN LI FFE
STRE E T,
PRE STON

13. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
WHAT
HAVE
WE DONE ?
CUN LI FFE
STRE E T,
PRE STON

14. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
WHAT
HAVE
WE DONE ?
CUN LI FFE
STRE E T,
PRE STON

15. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
WHAT
HAVE
WE DONE ?
CUN LI FFE
STRE E T,
PRE STON

16. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
WHAT
HAVE
WE DONE ?
THE
TE AM

17. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
 £500,000 GRANT
 We aim to deliver 45 properties & 112 bedrooms
 Agreed delivery was 44 properties and 110 bedrooms
 Our Value for Money figure is £446 against the DCLG
National Average maximum expectation of £1,100
 £750,000 GRANT
 We aim to deliver 62 properties and 105 bedrooms
 Agreed delivery was 38 properties and 105 bedrooms
 Our Value for Money figure is £613 for residential and
£874 for commercial against the DCLG National
Average maximum expectation of £1,100 and £1,300
respectively
 ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
 Environmental improvements & community benefits
 £455,000 of private investment into the local economy
 Employment opportunities for local businesses
 KEY OBJECTIVE FOR METHODIST ACTION NW
 By the programme end we will have housed at least
217 people across Preston, South Ribble & Lancaster,
who would otherwise be without an affordable home
HOW DI D
WE DO?

18. SEIZING NEW OPPORTUNITIES – GROWING A SOCIAL LETTINGS AGENCY
THAN K
Y OU…..
Places need people to live in them and
people need A Place to Live…
Contact details
Stephen Hetherington – Chief Operating Officer
T: 01772 751000
E: stephen.hetherington@methodistaction.co.uk