Agenda item

To approve the Empty Homes Strategy 2026 – 2031.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the success of the previous long term empty property strategy 2021 – 2026 which has seen 386 empty residential properties brought back into use exceeding the Strategy target, providing homes for over 900 residents* including supported and adapted homes enabling some of our most vulnerable to live independently in their communities be welcomed;

b)   the new Empty Homes Strategy 2026 – 2031 setting a new, increased target to bring 400 empty properties back into use be approved; and

c)    to receive an annual update of delivery against the new target be agreed.

The Cabinet Member: Safer Streets and Better Housing presented the Empty Homes Strategy 2026-2031.

The report highlighted the success of the previous strategy which had exceeded its target by bringing 386 long-term empty properties back into use against an original target of 375. Members were advised that this had created homes for more than 900 residents, including supported and adapted accommodation for vulnerable residents. The work had also contributed to a 41% reduction in crime and anti-social behaviour in affected areas, the recovery of £76,000 of debt owed to the Council and the refurbishment of 114 properties through partnership arrangements. The Council's approach had also received national recognition through shortlisting in the Local Government Chronicle Awards.

The Cabinet Member: Safer Streets and Better Housing outlined the range of interventions used to bring empty properties back into use including advice and support for owners, partnership working with housing providers, acquisition and refurbishment programmes and enforcement action, where necessary. The new strategy proposed a further ambitious target of bringing 400 additional empty properties back into use by 2031.

Cabinet Members welcomed the report and praised the work undertaken by officers and partners. Members highlighted the benefits of returning empty homes to use, including increasing housing supply, supporting vulnerable residents, reducing neighbourhood blight and improving community safety. Members also highlighted the contribution the strategy made towards wider housing, regeneration and community safety priorities across the Borough.

Members welcomed examples within the report of former empty properties being transformed into supported accommodation, independent living accommodation and affordable housing, noting the positive outcomes achieved for vulnerable residents as well as the wider benefits to local communities.

Members also welcomed the national recognition received for the Council's innovative approach to empty homes and supported the new target of bringing a further 400 properties back into use over the next five years.

The Leader of the Conservative Group welcomed the achievements of the strategy and recognised the significant benefits that bringing empty properties back into use had delivered for communities. Whilst expressing support for the new target, he noted that increasing use of existing housing stock should reduce pressure for additional development on greenfield land and congratulated officers on the national recognition received for the initiative.

In response, the Leader recognised the wider work already being undertaken to support the reuse of vacant properties across the Borough, including within town centres and high streets. He noted that vacancy rates across the Borough's high streets remained significantly below the national average but acknowledged that many empty properties involved complex ownership and legal issues, reaffirming the Council's commitment to providing resources to support both intervention and enforcement activity where necessary.

RESOLVED – that:

a)    the success of the previous long term empty property strategy 2021 – 2026 which has seen 386 empty residential properties brought back into use exceeding the Strategy target, providing homes for over 900 residents* including supported and adapted homes enabling some of our most vulnerable to live independently in their communities be welcomed;

b)   the new Empty Homes Strategy 2026 – 2031 setting a new, increased target to bring 400 empty properties back into use be approved; and

c)    to receive an annual update of delivery against the new target be agreed.