£4.5m fund will breathe new life into 400 empty homes in Scotland

By LYNSEY BEWS
Published on 28/12/2012 00:05

The Scottish Government has announced the projects which have been successful in their bids for its £4.5 million fund to bring empty homes back into use.

A total of 17 housing 
associations, councils and house builders across Scotland will share the cash to bring more than 400 properties back into use over the next 10 years.

The organisations are to use the money to help private owners renovate empty homes and make them available as 
affordable housing for at least five years. Around 25,000 homes across Scotland are classed as long-term empty.

Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “Empty homes are a blight on many communities across Scotland. Standing empty, these properties are no use to anyone. Renovated, they could provide much-needed new homes for hundreds of people.

“Bringing empty homes back into use makes sense because it is a cost-effective way of increasing the supply of housing available to families across Scotland’s communities.”

Kristen Hubert, co-ordinator of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, said: “It is pleasing and highly encouraging that so many worthy projects have been given the go-ahead.

““We will work with the successful bidders to help them make the most of their projects.”