With the Housing Plus approach, Phoenix aims to bring empty homes back into use whilst providing skills, training and valuable work experience to  volunteers who are delivering the building  renovation. On-site project management will allow Phoenix to ensure that the renovation is delivered on time, on budget and to the highest possible standard. Phoenix will also work closely with local residents and community-based groups to ensure the physical regeneration of the properties also supports the development of community cohesion and social regeneration.

In 2009 Phoenix and Poplar HARCA Housing Association identified four ground floor flats in E3 that were long-term voids and that were seen as uneconomic to bring up to Decent Homes Standard due to the limited lifespan of the estate. When Phoenix began the renovation work on the properties, they had chronic rising damp as a result of a fractured Damp Proof Course (DPC) and were without kitchens, bathrooms and heating.



The team of thirty Co-op member volunteers were supervised by a qualified Site Manager and all of the work undertaken to bring the properties up to the Decent Homes Standard was registered with the Health and Safety Executive. Wherever possible Phoenix used recycled, donated and carefully researched non-toxic green materials. Work undertaken included the installation of a new injection DPC system, re-plastering and decoration, and the complete replacement of kitchens, bathrooms and heating systems.



Through the Housing Plus project at Sumner House,  Phoenix brought the properties back into use for 25% of the cost quoted to Poplar HARCA and in carrying out the works provided work experience and practical skills guidance for members, some of whom have consequently secured related employment.
All Housing Plus projects will be self funded through a mixture of grant funding and loan finance. Based upon the success of Sumner House, Phoenix has already successfully fundraised £150,000 in order to develop our Housing Plus approach. We continue to actively fundraise for Housing Plus project staff which will allow us to keep the cost of individual renovation projects as low as possible.

Our Housing Plus approach will directly contribute to:

• reducing the number of empty properties within the local area;

• meeting local housing need and reducing levels of local homelessness;

• reducing the likely occurrence of vandalism, anti social behaviour and crime that empty properties can attract;

• developing the skills and improving the employability of local residents;

• delivering the physical, economic and social regeneration of local areas.

Phoenix is currently working with local partner agencies to identify other properties that can be used in Housing Plus projects. If you are aware of empty properties in your area, please do contact the Phoenix team. If you want to find out more about Housing Plus including how to volunteer in future projects, please contact Carlita, Housing Plus Business Development Manager on 020 7033 9539 or 07969840722.