Published on:
23
January 2013
In order to increase affordable housing and regenerate local communities, Clackmannanshire Council has successfully gained funding for two projects to bring empty homes in the private sector back into residential use.
Shared with Stirling and Falkirk Councils, a dedicated Empty Homes Officer is to be recruited to target long term empty properties, providing advice and assistance to homeowners to help them bring the property back into use.
The scheme is backed by partial Scottish Government funding and supported by Shelter, Scotland.
Kristen Hubert, Empty Homes Coordinator, Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, said: "The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership is pleased to be involved in the Forth Valley Empty Homes Shared Services Project along with Clackmannanshire Council.
"Having a dedicated Empty Homes Officer can make all the difference to owners struggling to bring their empty homes back into use. We would also like to offer our congratulations to the Council on their successful loan fund bid and we look forward to working with them across both their new projects."
The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership is funded by Scottish Government and hosted by Shelter Scotland. The Partnership helps councils and their partners to bring empty homes back into use.
The Council has also been awarded £75,000 from the Scottish Government's Empty Homes Loan Fund. This money, along with £25,000 top up funding from the Council, will bring around 10 long term vacant properties into use for private renting. In line with the high demand for small properties for single people, one bedroom, town centre properties will be targeted for improvements.
Housing, Health and Care Committee Convener, Councillor Les Sharp, said: "Owners who sign up for the scheme will receive assistance of up to £10,000, a one-off grant of £2,500 plus an interest free loan of up to £7,500. In return, owners must agree to let their property for a minimum of five years to young, single people who need their own home. The rent level will be set at an affordable level, within housing benefit limits."
As well as providing much needed accommodation for young people, this scheme aims to provide skills training for prospective tenants, sustain local employment and improve energy efficiency in the private rented sector.
The Council is interested in hearing from owners, of one bedroom properties which have been empty for over six months, and require work to bring the property to a rentable standard. Owners will be assisted in becoming a private landlord if they are not already renting. Contact Clackmannanshire Council on 450000.