13-15 Port Street Evesham

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Eunice Adela Alexander
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1 13-15 Port Street Evesham

2 Rooftop Housing Group is proud to work in partnership with

In 1996 Evesham and Pershore Housing Association (which later became the main subsidiary of Rooftop Housing Group) opened a supported housing scheme at 13 Port Street, Evesham.

3 A tale of triumph over adversity Four years in the making, this project has delivered three new selfcontained flats providing supported accommodation for 16 and 17 year olds; a brand new office for the local branch of the Citizens Advice Bureau and; refurbishment of a strategically important shop front to regenerate a conservation area. In 1996 Evesham and Pershore Housing Association (which later became the main subsidiary of Rooftop Housing Group) opened a supported housing scheme at 13 Port Street, Evesham. The nine-unit scheme was developed in partnership with HAVEN (Homeless Action in the Vale of Evesham Now), with subsidy from the then Housing Corporation (now the Homes and Communities Agency). Support was based on individual support assessments. Over the years the scheme was managed successfully in a variety of ways, with the support provided by different organisations. The office/shop was initially used as a base for the charity HAVEN, and more recently by Learn Direct and the YMCA. The Tuesday after the flood, Rooftop staff were able to gain access to the property again and moved all of the current residents out. It was also discovered that another housing association, Midland Heart, (who then owned and managed nearby Shawcross Walk) had a few empty flats available they were starting to run the property down as part of a plan to handover the property to another landlord. Rooftop now manages Shawcross Walk as general needs flats but at the time we could only use five of their flats, so a few of the residents had to share the one bedroomed flats until other more appropriate accommodation could be secured. All was well until Friday 20 July 2007 a date well remembered by everyone in Worcestershire and the severe flooding that occurred that day and night made national news at the time. Evesham hadn t seen such severe flooding for many a year. The Haven was well and truly flooded; the flood water reached just below the ceiling on the ground floor. Fortunately all the residents managed to escape to safety most staying with friends and family until the following week but large amounts of personal belongings and furniture were left behind.

After the floods Rooftop arranged for contractors to come in and personal belongings and furniture were moved to each of the flats so that all of the young people had somewhere to stay.

This arrangement proved to be very successful considering the turmoil the town had experienced and Rooftop worked closely with Wychavon District Council to ensure that all of the young people had a

4 After the floods Rooftop arranged for contractors to come in and personal belongings and furniture were moved to each of the flats so that all of the young people had somewhere to stay. Staff were also able to use the office facility at Shawcross Walk for a period of time. This arrangement proved to be very successful considering the turmoil the town had experienced and Rooftop worked closely with Wychavon District Council to ensure that all of the young people had a place to stay. During that time Supporting People, who fund the service, were in talks with us to change the contract to a floating support service. Floating support enables staff to support young people, no matter where they lived and this continues to this day. The effects of the flooding together with the changing attitude to using bedsits for young single homeless persons, resulted in a review of how best to deliver housing to this particular client group and what was the best use for the building. It became apparent that the best long-term solution was to convert Port Street into three self-contained flats. This property, along with six flats at Shawcross Walk, would be used to accommodate young single homeless persons in Evesham. Meanwhile, the office/shop would be retained and a new tenant sought. In November 2008 Rooftop confirmed its decision to convert Port Street into three self contained flats. The successful design for the building, completed by the Pentan Partnership, included provision of an additional one bedroom flat on the ground floor. A planning application was submitted to Wychavon District Council along with a Flood Risk Assessment and details of the provision of a Flood Warning and Evacuation Plan. Planning approval was finally granted in April 2010, with specific conditions in the approval relating to flood alleviation matters, the design of the replacement windows and the colour of the shop front on the old part of the building.

Making a difference Following completion of the refurbishment works, Rooftop support staff applied to Worcestershire County Council (WCC) for a framework agreement which they had advertised, asking

This agreement is now in place and providing essential support and accommodation to 16 and 17 year olds in order that they are able to gain further skills so they are eventually able to live

5 Making a difference Following completion of the refurbishment works, Rooftop support staff applied to Worcestershire County Council (WCC) for a framework agreement which they had advertised, asking for providers to support and accommodate young people classed as looked after children. This agreement is now in place and providing essential support and accommodation to 16 and 17 year olds in order that they are able to gain further skills so they are eventually able to live independently. WCC support young people until they are 18 years old so this work is vital in setting them up for a happy future. The agreement between Rooftop and WCC will be in place for each individual until their 18th birthday, by which time staff will ensure that they are placed into their own accommodation. All flats are fully furnished including cookers, fridges and microwaves. There is a communal laundry on the ground floor. Support hours range from 1 3 hours per week (based on the individuals need). The tenancy agreement itself is with WCC rather than the individual. Staff work closely with social workers and outreach workers to ensure that the support requirement is met and all young people have achievable outcomes.

6 Making room for advice In March 2010 Rooftop considered a report, following an approach from Wychavon Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB). CAB had been given notice of a 50% cut in funding from Wychavon District Council and as a result were looking for ways of increasing grants and donations to enable them to continue to provide their services. A large percentage of their customers being Rooftop tenants. A high percentage of CAB s costs were for office accommodation. Negotiations therefore took place, following a site visit to The Haven building which resulted in CAB wishing to use the whole of the ground floor of the building as office space. We re overwhelmed by the new office space being provided by Rooftop. Many people in this area feel anxious about the ongoing economic difficulties, and it s likely that the demand for CAB services will continue to rise. This new facility means we can continue to help local people resolve their legal, money and other problems by providing free, independent and confidential advice in a comfortable, modern environment. Ruth Davies Manager, Evesham CAB Following further discussion Rooftop agreed that CAB could use the ground floor at Port Street, rent free (worth 8,766). The decision was made easier for Rooftop bearing in mind that many Rooftop residents over the years have called upon the expert services provided by CAB. A three year lease was granted, with the option to renew for a further three years at a time. The CAB were regularly involved in the design process for the ground floor office space. Additional works were needed to meet with the CAB s requirements. Some rooms needed additional partitions and provision made for their IT systems. The additional works costs were met by CAB themselves. Our role in the local community is very important to us, and we know that many of our residents have benefitted from the vital services and advice offered by CAB. I m delighted that we ve been able to help. John Stanley Chair of EPHA (part of Rooftop)

Putting on a front Grant funding and refurbishment of shop front at 17 Port Street Evesham As part of the planning process contact was made with Wychavon District Council s Conservation Officer,

Elaine was instrumental in helping us gain grant funding through the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) scheme supported by the National Lottery.

7 Putting on a front Grant funding and refurbishment of shop front at 17 Port Street Evesham As part of the planning process contact was made with Wychavon District Council s Conservation Officer, Elaine Artherton who was a tremendous help to Rooftop during the refurbishment of this project. Elaine was instrumental in helping us gain grant funding through the Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) scheme supported by the National Lottery. The grant funding helped towards the costs of the replacement timber sash windows and re-roofing of the old part of the building. As part of the discussions with Elaine, it was established that the owner of the adjacent barbers shop was also looking to have some upgrading works carried out to his property. Working with Elaine and Mr Bivona the barbers shop owner, it was agreed that works to his property would be included within our works contract with Markey Construction. This process was the most sensible approach as the roof, window works and decoration of the shop front was needed to both properties. Economies were made by having the works completed together, using only one set of scaffolding for both lots of work. Mr Bivona was also eligible for the THI grant funding towards his works costs, paying the balance of his costs direct to the association on completion of the works.

13-15 Port Street Evesham Partners: Architect: Developer: Employers agent: Start date:

Housing Group Wychavon District Council Wychavon Citizens Advice Bureau Mr V Bivona

office space) June 2011 (first floor flats) 3 x 1 bed self-contained flats Ground floor

8 13-15 Port Street Evesham Partners: Architect: Developer: Employers agent: Start date: September 2010 Completion date: Total Scheme Cost: 258,098 Scheme comprises: Rooftop Housing Group Wychavon District Council Wychavon Citizens Advice Bureau Mr V Bivona (owner of 17 Port Strret) Pentan Partnership Markey Construction WSP January 2011 (CAB office space) June 2011 (first floor flats) 3 x 1 bed self-contained flats Ground floor office space Rooftop Housing Group 70 High Street Evesham Worcestershire WR11 4YD

Swapping your home. 1

Swapping your home. 1 Swapping your home www.rooftopgroup.org 1 What is a mutual exchange? If you rent your home from Rooftop Housing Group, you can swap your home. We call swapping your home with another tenant a mutual exchange.