1. Alternative Use of Decommissioned Buildings
Case studies and discussion in groups.
Peter Webb & Andrew Bartlett

2. Agenda Empty Buildings: Some Context, Options and Restrictions
Case Studies
Discussion on tables
Summary

3. Empty Buildings: Options and restrictions
Specification of many supported housing buildings means they need to be converted.
Funding restrictions mean that grant would have to be recycled
Re-let to another Registered Provider
Develop for affordable housing as shared ownership
Demand and value driven – can be in low market value areas
Demolish and build something else
Sell it to a private developer
Sell it to another RP at Existing Use Valuation

4. Case study: Property Guardians
Occupying a 10 bed hostel that would otherwise have stood empty
Providing an affordable security service
All occupants are on licence agreements
Usually working professionals who may need temporary accommodation due to short term contracts
Property had a poor reputation in the neighbourhood and couldn’t be left empty for any length of time
Fee is negotiable
They can take time to fill the building

5. Property Guardians continued
Responsible for the onsite compliance responsibility
Minimum of three months tenure is usually required, can be terminated with a months notice
Repairs and servicing responsibility can still be the responsibility of the Landlord. Sometime causes access problems
Good communication with the management team
Reliable and secure
Clarity over responsibility is essential

6. Case study: Change of client group

7. Case study: Change of client group
Shared learning disability scheme in Hackney
14 bed spaces in 7 shared flats
Housing management by FM, support by an external provider occupying an 8th flat as a scheme office.
History of low demand. Accommodation no longer suitable for the client group.
Support service decommissioned by Local Authority February 2015.
Extended decant period requiring joint working with Social Services and the support provider to identify suitable accommodation for existing residents.
Future options for use of building limited due to Department of Health capital funding arrangements.

8. Case study: Change of client group
Alternative use as an interim alternative building for an existing service with a mental health client group identified September 2015.
Redecoration of flats undertaken using in house handyperson service from October
FM office set up and 1st lets for the new client group from Feb 2016.
Last LD tenant rehoused September 2016.
Long term plan to redevelop the site on back burner because of uncertainties about future funding.

9. Change of client group – Issues and costs
Capital funding restrictions
Refurnishing and redecoration costs
Other remodelling costs
Decanting arrangements
Void losses through the transition