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Government announce £85m boost for empty homes

The Communities Minister has announced a £85 million cash boost to help communities across the UK tackle the issue of empty properties and bring thousands of homes back into use.

Andrew Stunell announced that 20 councils had successfully bid for a share of £60 million to address the issue of empty homes, while community groups will share a further £25 million to deal with empty homes. It is estimated that the scheme will ensure that a further 5,600 empty dwellings will be live in once more.

The funding will add to the £70 million already allocated to bring empty homes back into use as affordable homes, as well as bringing forward plans to allow councils to charge extra council tax on properties vacant for two years or more.

While the number of empty houses across the UK has fallen to the lowest level since e2004, 720,000 homes still lie empty.

Commenting on the issue, Mr Stunell said: “The number of empty homes in this country is a national disgrace - for every two families that need a home there is one standing empty.

“Empty homes bring down a neighbourhood and attract vandals and fly-tipping, as well as being a waste of much needed housing.

The Government has invested a total of £215 million in renovation empty homes, and ministers believe that by targeting funding in specific areas, it will prove to be more successful than previous schemes.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .