Empty homes guide published

A GUIDE has been published, seeking to help bring Scotland’s empty homes back into productive use.

The guide was launched today at an annual conference on empty homes, of which there are an estimated 43,000-plus in Scotland.

It has been produced jointly by the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (CoSLA) and the Association of Local Authority Chief Housing Officers (ALACHO). 

Says the SEHP, here: “Drawing on examples of good practice across Scotland, it demonstrates how empty homes work can reduce pressure on emergency accommodation, attract new private sector investment, create stronger and more vibrant communities and drive down carbon emissions.”

Examples included in the document include:

* An ‘Open Market Purchase’ scheme in North Lanarkshire which has invested over £12m, to increase the supply of homes, supplementing a new house building programme;

* A ‘matchmaker’ programme in Aberdeen that allows the council to facilitate a match between owners of empty homes and people on council housing waiting lists;

* The redevelopment of an old mill building in Arbroath which been used for 24 homes being made available for social rent in the town centre; and

* A Trust in the Western Isles long-term vision to reverse a century of population decline including by providing more affordable good housing and improved community facilities.

Picture credit: Scottish Empty Homes Partnership