The Empty Homes Agency is an
independent campaigning charity, which
exists to highlight the waste of empty
property in England and works with others
to devise and promote sustainable
solutions to bring empty property back
into use.
Low Demand Update – February 2005
My name is Stephanie Beresford and I am the
Community Support Project Worker for the Low
Demand Project with the Empty Homes
Agency, based in the northern office.
The Low demand Project was established in
2004 in response to the need for tackling the
problems of low demand and an increase in the
number of empty homes.
As people living in such areas often see an i n-
crease in crime, drug abuse and other types of
anti-social behaviour, the purpose of the Low
Demand Project is to encourage the redevelo p-
ment of low demand areas, to create safer envi-
ronments and long-term sustainable communi-
ties.
As Community Support Project Worker, my aim
is to:
• Liaise with individuals and community
groups, to identify the issues, which relate
specifically to the problems of low demand,
in the area in which they live.
• Offer independent advice and support to
individuals, community groups and other
organisations coping with the problems of
working or living within areas of low de-
mand.
• Encourage people living in areas of low de-
mand to participate in the consultation pro c-
ess regarding their community, so that they
may have a say in its future.
• Encourage partnership working between
the Empty Homes Agency, Community
Groups and other organisation’s whose
shared aim is to regenerate and rebuild
communities in areas of low demand.
If you feel that you, your group or organisation
will benefit from my assistance and are inte r-
ested in discussing ways in which we can work
together, then please do not hesitate to contact
me on the telephone number provided.
****************************************************
Stephanie graduated from De Montfort Unive r-
sity, Bedford in October 2001 with a BA (Hons)
in Business with Sociology.
In August 2001 she began working as a
Trainee Housing Officer with Jephson Housing
Low Demand Update
Association in Bedford, whilst simultaneously
obtaining a Post-Experience Diploma in Hous-
ing Studies at De Montfort University in Leices-
ter.
In May 2002 Stephanie moved back to her
home city of Sheffield and in December that
year, began working as a housing officer for
Sheffield City Council, within the public sector.
Working in an inner city deprived area, Stepha-
nie obtained experience of working with people
from a wide section of the community. This
gave her an insight in to the concerns of people
living in areas of low demand and ideas on how
these might positively be addressed.
After ten months, Stephanie moved to the De-
partment of Private Sector Housing within in
Sheffield City Council and became a Housing
Officer within the newly formed Empty Property
Team. She helped in creating a procedure for
assessing the impact of empty properties upon
a neighbourhood and liaised with owners of
those properties, to encourage them to reco g-
nise the negative impact of their empty property
upon the environment, and of the potential of
bringing their property back into use.
Stephanie is pleased to be a part of the Empty
Homes Agency and looks forward to having an
even bigger impact, in terms of offering her
support and positive advice to Community
Groups, individuals and organisations involved
in tackling the difficulties of living in areas of low
demand.
In her free time, Stephanie enjoys playing ten-
nis, scuba diving and attending the local gym.
She is also learning to speak Spanish and to
play the piano (though it is unlikely that these
will be done at the same time!). She has re-
cently joined the Youth Hostel Association and
is looking forward to taking part in various walk-
ing and activity holidays throughout England.
EVENTS
FEB—2005
SUMMI T 2005
24-01-05
ODPM - Delivering Sustainable
Communities
Summit - G-MEX Manchester 31 J anuary Northern Office:
The Empty Homes Agency
to 2 February 2005 PO Box 3609
Barnsley
S75 1WW
Phone/Fax: 01226 390 093
Mobile: 07719 798 033