- 30/10/2015
- Posted by: Mike Hedges MS
- Category: Uncategorized
MIKE HEDGES WELCOMES EMPTY HOMES TARGET SUCCESS
Over 7,500 vacant properties have been saved from falling into disrepair and transformed into homes for Welsh families during the past four years thanks to action by the Welsh Labour Government and Local Authorities across Wales.
Mike said… ‘I welcome the news that the policies of the Wales Labour Government have met with success in respect of dealing with empty properties. Many streets in Swansea East have seen the blight of empty properties disfiguring them, and I welcome the efforts of the Welsh Government and Swansea Council in ensuring that they are brought back into use. Such properties are often in poor states of repair or are targets for anti-social behavior; bringing them back in to use improves the condition of the neighborhood, reduce anti-social behavior and enable the houses to be used for what they were designed for – housing people. I look forward more properties being brought back in to use through this scheme in future years.
The Welsh Labour Government has gone above and beyond its ambitious 5,000 target, with over a year to go. In 2014/15, 3,089 empty properties were brought back into use thanks to the innovative Houses into Homes scheme, bringing the total to an impressive 7,560.
During its first three years, the initial investment of £20 million has enabled local authorities to provide 360 interest-free loans to owners of properties which have been empty for more than 6 months, to bring the properties back into use for sale or rent.
As well as increasing housing supply, bringing properties back into use removes unsightly empty buildings, regenerating communities and reducing incidents of vandalism and anti-social behaviour in properties which have fallen into a state of disrepair.
Houses into Homes is delivered by local authorities and is an example of effective local, regional and national collaboration, with all 22 councils working together to share resources and expertise.
