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New schemes launch to mark Empty Homes Week

A logo that reads "National Empty Homes Week 2023, Feb 27-Mar 5"

Empty homes in Plymouth will be targeted this year as part of a new and improved initiative designed to get them back into use.

An empty property is a wasted home that could be lived in by someone who needs it. There are not enough houses in Plymouth and so bringing empty properties back to life is a crucial tonic for tackling the housing crisis in our city.

This year, the Empty Homes Financial Assistance will be relaunched for 2023 with a new grant element.

As before, landlords can apply for a loan of up to £50,000 per unit, which is repaid via subsequent rental income but this year there is an improved element.

Providing that the empty home owner undertakes to project manage the renovation themselves and agrees to rent the property at an affordable rate with Easylet, one of the city’s recognised social lettings schemes, they will be entitled to a 20 per cent grant.

Another scheme available is Repair and Rent, a brand new initiative for empty property owners without the confidence or capacity to manage a renovation themselves. Our partner organisation will carry out the required renovation and will provide a property management service.

Up to £20,000 per unit is available with a 20 per cent grant element. As with our financial assistance, the loan will be repaid from rental income generated by the property.

The news comes during Empty Homes Week 2023, a national initiative designed to shine the spotlight on a housing issue.

In Plymouth, empty homes officers are proactive and engage with the city’s most troublesome empty homes all year-round. They not only offer advice, guidance and financial assistance, but also have the option of enforcement as a last resort.

Like most local authorities in the UK, Plymouth has a large waiting list for housing in Plymouth.

Over the last two and a half years, the pandemic and associated factors like relationship breakdown, impact on physical and mental health, the end of furlough, business and job loss, increased utility costs, the end of the temporary ban on evictions and increased private sector rent costs have led to a significant increase in demand seeing the number of people approaching us for advice and support rise to an average of more than 200 households per month.

Quite simply, people need homes, which is why working to combat empty properties is so key.

Councillor Rebecca Smith, Cabinet member for Homes and Communities, said: "The work that our empty homes team does to help bring properties back into use is a key component of our battle with current housing demands.

"Why should properties be allowed to rot away when there are families desperate for a home? It makes no sense at all and is why we will continue to work hard, with initiatives like the above, to ensure that as many empty homes as possible come back into use."

Rebecca Moore, Director of Action on Empty Homes, added: “It’s wonderful to hear that Plymouth City Council are being so proactive in terms of Empty Homes.

"With nearly 250,000 long-term empty homes and over 250,000 people in housing need across England it really is time for action on empty homes.

"Many community members and empty homeowners lack the resources or the confidence to bring homes back into use – Plymouth City Council are finding promising ways to overcome those hurdles which will ultimately increase their local housing stock.

"I really hope these great opportunities are embraced”

More information on our empty homes work and contact information for the above schemes is available at: Empty homes | PLYMOUTH.GOV.UK