Move to end the ‘scandal’ of homes going to waste

Reporter: Lobby Correspondent
Date online: 20 January 2010

PEOPLE who own empty homes would be given cash to renovate the properties and bring them back into use, under Lib-Dem plans.

Under the proposals more than 250,000 homes would be brought back into use the party claims.

Owners would be given a grant if the home is for social housing or a cheap loan to renovate the property if it is for private use.

Lib-Dems leader Nick Clegg said: “Allowing thousands of houses to sit empty when millions of families have been waiting years for a home is nothing short of a scandal.

“These plans are a clear example of where Liberal Democrat priorities lie: creating jobs and providing more family homes.

“The cost of bringing these homes back into use is just a fraction of the cost of build yet the Government is sitting idly by while they fall into disrepair.

“This is one element of our economic stimulus package that will generate jobs and help Britain on its way to building a fair, sustainable economy.”

Figures provided by the Lib-Dems show there are 3,404 empty homes in Oldham and more than 8,000 families waiting for homes.

The proposals would cost £3.6billion.

The plans are part of an election package set out by Mr Clegg.

Councils have powers to seize empty homes. Empty dwelling management orders (EDMOs) were introduced in 2006 to give a council temporary management rights over homes at risk of falling prey to squatters, drug-dealers and fly-tippers — allowing a house to revert to its original owner at a later date.

EDMOs are designed to kick out a landlord refusing to co-operate with attempts to bring a property back into use.

But across the country just 27 properties have been refurbished in that way, none by Oldham council according to Government information.