Government funding will help refurbish empty homes in Plymouth

Plymouth is to benefit from £660,000 of government funding to help refurbish and bring back into use empty properties and commercial premises.

Plymouth City Council supported the national housing charity Chapter 1 in the bid for the money which will be used to create a scheme of 30 affordable homes.

Cabinet member for Finance whose portfolio includes strategic housing, Councillor Mark Lowry said: “Creating more affordable housing in Plymouth is a priority. We are working with charities, housing associations and private landlords to make sure empty properties are put to good use and that we can put a roof over the heads of those in need.

“This bid is a good example of how we can work with social landlords to bring government money to the city and make real difference.”

Rachel Sanders, Chapter 1’s operations director, said: “We’re delighted to be working with Plymouth City Council in this new partnership. Bringing empty properties back into use provides more than just valuable housing. At Chapter 1 we believe in changing lives one by one and having a home to call your own is a vital step towards a better quality of life. Neighbourhoods flourish and the environment around them benefits.

“The programme will also enable us to work with voluntary organisations such as Shekinah to provide opportunities for people distanced from training and employment to improve their skills.”

The Council’s Zero Waste campaign has brought 104 long term empty homes back into use in the last year. The campaign aims to eliminate the waste of properties being left standing empty. There are currently 686 long term empty homes in Plymouth.

Owners of properties are encouraged to contact the Council and use one of the rental services, EasyLet or HouseLet. More than 100 empty home owners have now signed up to the schemes. Some have also benefitted from interest free loans to help them bring their property up to the required letting standard.

Anyone who knows of a property that has been left standing empty or unused commercial space can call the Council’s Housing Delivery Team on 01752 307577.