South of Scotland empty properties targeted for ‘affordable’ homes conversion

A DEDICATED member of staff has been taken on, to source empty properties in the south of Scotland – mainly the Scottish Borders – to be converted into ‘affordable’ housing.

The appointment – lasting an initial two years – is a joint initiative between South of Scotland Community Housing and the Scotland-wide Scottish Empty Homes Partnership. It parallels a similar role being hosted by Scottish Borders Council since last year.

South of Scotland Community Housing already has a track record in converting empty properties into ‘affordable’ housing, including in the Dumfries and Galloway town of Langholm, where a former police station was turned into four homes.

Says an announcement, here: “Typical reasons for homes becoming empty for several years include the death of an owner, inherited properties where the new owners are unsure of what to do, property owners not being able to afford restorations to make the home habitable, and owners in care which leads to the property deteriorating.”

Pictured: Langholm police station before its conversion, Picture credit: SoSCH