STEPs - Housing Project

Unfortunately we were unable to take this project any further after 2010. This project is no longer running.

STEPs is a new response to the need for more houses in Exeter and beyond. Exeter Community Initiatives (ECI), Shilhay Community and Chapter 1 have created STEPs with support from Exeter City Council. This partnership is a major strength of the project. It is able to combine strengths and experience in delivering other projects and services to the homeless in Exeter and beyond.

We are fundraising to make this project happen. We want to be in the position to build or buy houses by the end of the year. To do this we need as much support as possible.

• We need donations to buy the bricks and mortar.
• We need donations to help us cover the costs of supporting our tenants (volunteer expenses, staffing costs).
• We need volunteers to befriend and mentor tenants. 
• We need gifts to be left in wills to keep the project alive into the future and leave a legacy for the future residents of Exeter.
• We need volunteers and people with experience to help us build our own house! (do you have knowledge of construction techniques, experience of self-build, training in construction skills, professional skills or are you just passionate about a community building its own housing?)

STEPs aims to reduce homelessness and repeat homelessness in Exeter and the surrounding areas by increasing the housing stock available to house vulnerable people. By focussing on those that need long term support we aim to bring them out of the current system, reduce the pressure on the professional floating support services, stop clients languishing in the system and becoming institutionalised, or worse being moved on to unsuitable accommodation. STEPs will provide them with opportunities to make new strides to become independent.

STEPs will buy, renovate and build houses and provide support and guidance to tenants to help them access the right services, at the right time and with the right motivation. STEPs housing will meet all environmental standards and push to make the houses as ‘green’ as possible. This will not just contribute to preventing carbon emissions, but a better standard of life for the tenants.

We will achieve our aims through three elements.

1. Providing safe & secure homes. STEPs needs supportive landlords that are able to give tenants control over their home and only use eviction as a last resort.
2. Giving support. Volunteer mentors will create a relationship that lasts as long as the tenant requires and works towards goals and aspirations.
3. Skills & opportunities. Working across the city, STEPs will encourage tenants to engage in further training, pushing themselves into new experiences and making use of new opportunities.

STEPs will do this by buying and renovating or building affordable rented accommodation. STEPs needs your support to raise enough money to be able to buy land or buildings. You may wish to donate property or funds. STEPs will then use any donation to bring in funds from other sources, in effect doubling the money or asset value you give.

If you cannot afford to give financially you can help us in many other ways. The second key element of STEPs is the reconnection the project will make between the tenants and the surrounding community. To achieve this we need volunteers to mentor, befriend, practically support or help out with running the project. Your time is as important as any money.

Leaflet

Briefing note

Please contact Matt Bell, Project Development Manager, Exeter Community Initiatives to donate into or volunteer for the project. matt@eci.org.uk or 01392 205800.