Somerset Care & Repair has been successful in securing £1.46M in funding to work on housing projects in South Somerset and Mendip districts. As the director, Kevin Lake oversees projects such as converting an empty superintendent's house into flats and renovating neglected properties like Fir Tree Cottage and Milford Inn. While navigating challenges with local authorities over costs and delays, the organization has brought 32 empty homes back into use to house those in greatest need. Its success has led to further funding to expand their work to other areas.

1. Somerset Care & Repair:
Seizing New Opportunities
Rural Housing Plus
Kevin Lake
Director

2. • Successful in two bids totalling £1.46M
• Working in South Somerset and Mendip
District Council areas
Largest town is Yeovil population of 40,000
Other towns
Wells – 11,340
Shepton Mallet - 9027
• 2,500 registered empty homes in South
Somerset 1000 over six months empty
• 1441 empty properties in Mendip

3. The First Property
• The Gate House
Superintendents house looking after the cemetery
Local volunteers cleared the cemetery but didn’t know what to
do with the house.
Bad history with abuse and drugs.
• Put in planning to convert to two flats.
Last minute someone listed it.

4. The First Property

7. Penfield

8. Fir Tree Cottage

10. Milford Inn

11. Milford the story so far:
1. Purchased it in April 2014
2. First issue was the LA wanted to charge us £34,101 towards sports, arts
and leisure.
3. VO report - £309.00
4. Topographical survey - £714.00

13. Fifty Shades of Grey
The Pain
• Conservation Officers, Planning Officers and Ecological Officers
• The addition cost of £90,000 to get on site in Benedict Street and Milford.
• £12,000 lost rental income due to delays on Benedict Street and a further
£18,000 lost due to delays on Milford.
• Tribal – same language, different meanings.
The Pleasure
• We have brought back into use 32 properties providing accommodation for
those in greatest housing need. (those who private landlords and Housing
associations prefer not to deal with)
• Tribal – Have been helpful, understanding, flexible and supportive
• Local Authority support – £110,000 of grant funding to date + additional
£100,000 of capital to carry on in South Somerset in next financial year.
• Training for people on probation, homeless hostel, prison, Restore Trust,
Tribal (education and training)
• Success has led to the possibility of a further £300,000 to undertake work in
other district areas.