Got net-zero news, project updates, or product launches to share? Empty homes record reuse surge
Almost 11,000 long-term empty homes have been brought back into use in Scotland since the establishment of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) in 2010, according to a new report released today.
The latest impact report from the SEHP revealed that empty homes officers assisted owners in bringing 1,875 long-term empty properties back into use during the 2023-24 period. This marks the highest annual total on record and brings the total number of homes returned to use to 10,889 since the partnership’s inception.
Funded by the Scottish Government and hosted by Shelter Scotland, the SEHP’s work aligns with the Scottish Government’s objective of repurposing empty homes as affordable housing wherever feasible. Given the housing emergencies declared by the Scottish Government and ten local authorities in Scotland, the role that empty homes can play in meeting Scotland’s housing needs is significant.
National manager of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, Tahmina Nizam, emphasised the impact of empty homes officers across the country as evidenced by the independent audit conducted by the Scottish Government last year. The figures in the newly released report further support the vital role of bringing empty homes back into use.
Nizam stated, “With more local authorities acknowledging housing emergencies and the Scottish Government declaring a housing emergency in May, the repurposing of empty homes will be crucial in addressing housing demand locally and nationally. Expanding empty homes services and allocating more resources to this area of work would optimise the utilisation of empty homes by local authorities.”
The Impact Report shed light on how local authorities such as the City of Edinburgh, Fife, and West Lothian, which have declared housing emergencies, are bolstering their commitment to empty homes work by appointing additional empty homes officers. However, it also highlighted Moray Council’s plans to discontinue its dedicated empty homes service, potentially leaving valuable homes unoccupied.
The Partnership expressed concern that the absence of a dedicated service for empty homes could impact neighbours living adjacent to empty properties, causing stress and uncertainty.
Housing minister Paul McLennan commended the report’s findings, emphasising the positive impact of repurposing long-term empty homes on Scottish communities. The Scottish Government’s investment of over £3.7 million in the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership has facilitated the return of nearly 11,000 properties to active use since 2010, providing much-needed housing for families.
McLennan stated, “Utilising empty homes is a cost-effective strategy for increasing housing stock, and I urge all local authorities to collaborate with the Partnership. Councils can use the revenue generated from council tax on second and empty homes to fund essential empty homes services.”
The report also provided updates on five kickstarter projects, partially funded by the SEHP, which aimed to encourage more organisations to engage in empty homes work. One of these initiatives, in partnership with the Community Impact Initiative (Cii), launched earlier this year and focuses on regenerating empty homes in Dundee to offer housing for those in need. The refurbishment projects will also support over 180 local individuals in acquiring skills and qualifications for employment.
