Delivering Sustainable Homes and Community Action
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It established its Sustainable Homes and Community Action model to buy run-down private rented sector houses, which it refurbishes and lets as quality homes to vetted local families. As well as stabilising fraught neighbourhoods, the recurring income helps the charity to provide a vast range of community services. After a resident-led campaign, BotM took over the closed library building and created a multi-functional community hub, which opened in 2015 and is now used by around 900 residents each year. This major milestone enabled BotM to create and expand community welfare and support services exponentially. It has far exceeded its overall beneficiary target of 500 and helped 3,135 local people. In total BotM has bought, refurbished and now manages 87 homes. It launched a repair and maintenance service, which supports other charities, generates a surplus, and creates jobs and apprenticeships. BotM has also converted three run-down empty shops into community ventures. During the pandemic, BotM raised over £200,000 for core costs and new services to tackle issues including digital exclusion, fuel and food poverty.