£50m to tackle empty homes

COMMUNITIES blighted with large numbers of empty homes could benefit from significant regeneration, it is claimed.

Lib-Dem Communities Minister Andrew Stunell told the Northern Housing Summit that tackling empty homes was a top housing priority for the party. Long-term empty homes are classed as unoccupied if left for more than six months.

According to latest figures there are 1,822 long-term empty homes properties in Oldham.

The government will give an extra £50 million funding to tackle large concentrations of empty homes as part of the coalition’s housing strategy and will seek to match-fund the projects.