Habitat for Humanity

Empty Houses into HomesA Community Group’s Experience

Introduction• Established International Housing Charity• Working in South London since 1996• Completed 42 new build units and 18 refurbs• 13 units on site currently

Before & After

83-85 Broad Street, Dagenham:Existing derelict units gutted and developed to three 2-bed flats

BEFORE

83-85 Broad Street, Dagenham:Existing derelict units gutted and developed to three 2-bed flats

AFTER

Empty Homes Work

• Lease and Repair Model– 5 to 10 year lease– Where possible income to property owner– Possible incentive on completion of paperwork– Repairs to decent homes standard– Letting via RSL Partners

Community Involvement

• Dagenham – Local People • Miller Road – award winning targeted training• YMCA – targeted training and other

supporters• Corporate sponsorship

Community Project

Our Experience

• Homes back into use• Creative use of resources (as wide as possible)• Homeless People housed• Housing stock increase without affecting

greenfield sites• Community improvement

Our Experience

• Properties difficult to source• Reward for owners “bad behaviour”• Raising funding for non grant funded section• More work than predicted needed on units• Therefore increased costs (but not grant)

Second Funding Round

• Interesting opportunities• Higher Risk

– Unknown Costs– New work stream– Impact of Portas Pilots (largely focus on issues)

The Team at Habitat for Humanity• Gareth Hepworth CEO• David Clare Business Development• Tony Parsons Construction Manager

Contacts

93 Gordon Road, Peckham, London, SE15 3RR020 7732 0066Gareth.hepworth@shfh.org.uk