further multi million pound cash boost for communities will help tackle the blight of empty properties and bring thousands of homes back into use, Communities Minister Andrew Stunell has announced.
Following bidding processes, 20 successful councils will each receive a slice of £60 million to tackle clusters of empty homes, and voluntary and community groups across the country will receive over £25 million to tackle individual empty properties in their area, ensuring that another 5,600 empty homes are lived in once again.
The number of long term empty homes has fallen to the lowest level since 2004, but with 720,000 empty homes across England, Stunell believes there is still more to do.
‘The number of empty homes in this country is a national disgrace. For every two families that need a home there is one standing empty. Empty homes bring down a neighbourhood and attract vandals and fly tipping, as well as being a waste of much needed housing,’ he said.
‘I'm delighted to announce this funding boost that will allow councils and community groups to bring these houses back to life and offer families a chance of a stable and secure home. We need to do much more to tackle this problem. This Government is breathing life back into these neglected neighbourhoods,’ he explained.
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