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