Funding Boost For ‘Empty Properties To Homes’ Scheme

A housing scheme which has turned 155 empty private sector properties in Wrexham and Flintshire into homes has been given a funding boost to improve housing stock.

Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced the Home Improvement Loans and ‘Houses Into Homes’ schemes will each receive £10 million. Houses Into Homes will help bring many derelict and inhabitable properties back into use and Home Improvement Loans will improve the standard of properties by eliminating hazards.

To date 4,471 empty and run-down properties have so far been turned into homes, only 529 short of the Welsh Government’s ambitious 5,000 target for the whole term, which runs until May 2016. Houses into Homes has played a big part in helping to achieve this.

The Home Improvement Loans scheme will offer loans to home owners and private sector landlords to improve poor quality housing across Wales.

Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “One of the biggest issues facing the housing sector at the moment is the lack of homes for sale or for rent. Empty homes are not only a wasted resource, but they can also attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour and can spoil the appearance of our neighbourhoods.

“I am delighted to announce our Home Improvement Loan programme is now open for business. This innovative scheme will improve poor quality housing across Wales – eliminating hazards which can cause harm to residents and health issues such as damp and cold.

Funding of £10 million will be provided over two years to offer interest-free loans of up to £25,000 per property which will be recycled by the local authorities and provided to homeowners in the county to maximise the funding and improve the standard of housing.

A further £10 million will go to the Houses into Homes scheme, bringing the total investment in the programme to £30 million. The additional funding will expand the programme which provides re-usable, interest-free loans to owners of empty run-down properties, to bring them back into use for sale or rent.

Ms Griffiths added: “The success of our flagship Houses into Homes scheme must also be acknowledged. As well as bringing 4,471 properties back into use, the scheme is also creating jobs in our construction industry. I hope this additional funding will build on this progress and give more families in Wales to opportunity to find a home.

“These funding announcements clearly demonstrate our commitment to meeting Wales’ housing need.”