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Funding for empty homes approved

An formerly empty home in Whitleigh is restored A new round of funding will help to bring long-term empty properties back into use across Plymouth. 

The Council will again offer interest-free loans for private applicants and low interest loans for companies renovating a previously empty property, which they plan to use as housing.

Last year’s funding helped empty home owners bring 25 properties back to the market and now a further £500,000 will be added to the fund.

An empty property is a wasted home that could be lived in by someone who needs it. They can cost owners thousands of pounds in lost rental income, increased council tax, insurance, repairs and produce no income. 

They attract anti-social behaviour and can reduce the value of adjoining properties by up to 20 per cent.

There are currently not enough houses in the city so it makes sense to bring empty properties back to life and the Council have a range of initiatives and advice to help do this.

Cllr Penberthy, Cabinet Member for Housing and Cooperative Development said “The housing waiting list is getting longer and longer - people need homes.

“Whilst we continue to work with partners to build new homes, it also makes perfect financial sense to provide help for empty home owners, who can turn a building back into a home much quicker than we can build a new one.

“We will continue the fight against empty homes until the day that everyone who needs a home can have one.”

Bringing empty homes back into use is a core component of the Plan for Homes, a scheme that will see 1,000 new homes over the next five years. 

Last year’s funding helped to bring a number of empty properties back into use.

A three bedroom house in Whitleigh, which was empty for a number of years, was completely gutted and converted into a high-spec family home.

Meanwhile, another in North Down Road has also recently come back to the market. 

If you own an empty property you can find out more about this scheme at www.plymouth.gov.uk/emptyhomes