‘New strategy’ will put hundreds of empty homes into use
Thursday 20th January 2011, 8:13AM GMT.
Shirehall leaders have adopted a new strategy to bring hundreds of empty homes across Shropshire back into use and help tackle the growing need for affordable housing.
Shropshire Council’s cabinet approved the Empty Homes Strategy yesterday following a public consultation last year.
A report to members said “significant interest” was shown during the consultation period and a number of callers to the council were “extremely supportive” of the proposals.
They felt the authority should tackle the “unacceptably high” number of empty homes which stands at 4,362, of which 1,933 have been vacant for more than six months.
There are nearly 9,000 households in the council area on waiting lists for a home.
Mal Price, cabinet member for housing, said he believed the strategy would make an impact.
He pointed to Market Drayton as an empty homes “hotspot” but where work is progressing on the council’s first Empty Homes Action Zone which will dovetail with the Market Towns Revitalisation Programme in the area.
A number of empty properties there have already been identified and council teams are working with potential housing association partners to bring them into use.
The report said: “The council’s aim is to encourage the owners of empty homes to bring them back into use voluntarily.
“The initial approach will therefore be focused on working with the owners, offering support and advice where appropriate.
“Reducing the number of empty homes brings benefits to the homeowners by reducing the likelihood of break-ins, reducing deterioration, as well as providing rental income or capital.
“In turn this can increase the availability of homes for rent or sale in the county as well as bringing benefits to the wider community as neglected empty homes can become a blight on the village or townscape.”
But the report warned: “However, where an owner is unwilling to bring the home back into use, and it is either causing a specific problem within its neighbourhood, or would meet a particular housing need, the council will consider the use of its legal enforcement powers.”
The cabinet also agreed a separate homelessness strategy action plan.
It will focus on early intervention that prevents homelessness from occurring, and support vulnerable people to develop the “skills” needed to sustain their tenancies.
By Dave Morris
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What about all the empty flats in Telford? The block of flats in Hadley has been empty for years. Why not house people in these and sell off the more expensive council houses to generate some much needed funds?
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This would be a great idea,
as usually empty houses become a bit of a eyesore.
But also the owners should not be forced to have tennants if they dont want them.
who will put the houses in a liveable condition,and what is the cost to the home owners, and who pays for any damage done by tennants.
remember HIPS, that was suppose to get the house market moving easily,it became a burden,
empty houses may have residential mortages and this could be against the mortage agreement putting tennants in.
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I approve! More details needed though – why are they empty? Is it very difficult to compulsorily purchase? Sounds like something T&W should copy. (Although some on here no doubt think Telford chavs don’t deserve homes and could quite well manage in a ditch).
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I fully agree with this proposal. However, this problem does not just exist on Council estates or with Council owned properties. There are several empty privately owned properties in the historic centre of Ludlow – one on Broad Street itself (which apparently belongs to a family living in Ireland. It is empty and, for the ten years I have lived in Ludlow, has never ever been occupied. A similar situation exists/existed with a derelict property at the foot of Corve Street – which is, apparently, being renovated and converted into several dwellings, although all work appears now to have ceased. There is another derelict and empty property on Old Street. Shropshire Council should move towards a policy of compulsory acquisition of all such properties.
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If the council even helped the owners to get the houses in a liveable condition for a family, and then took the payment out of the rent over a 2 yr period, this would benifit all, For having a family in bed and breakfast does not come cheap to the council or the tax payer.
plus the house would be bringing something in for the owner and benifit families.
But can this be achieved with all the Goverment cutbacks.
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If only this were true. We have been onto the Shirehall for the last 2 years regarding an empty property which adjoins ours, needless to say it has been empty for more than 3 years. It is a complete eyesore and nuisance for all neighbouring properties attracting potential squatters not to mention kids who we have caught with graffiti cans. The Shirehall say they are doing something about it but nothing ever happens because they have no real power to do anything!!!!
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