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Homes for a Pound
applications top 2,500
MORE than 2,500 applications have been
received for Liverpool City Council's newly expanded Homes for a Pound Plus
scheme.
Following the success of a pilot project involving properties around Granby Four
Streets and Arnside Road, the initiative will transform empty terraced homes off
Smithdown Road in Picton.
People had until 31 July 2015 to apply; and by the closing date 2,560 applications
had been received.
Deputy Mayor, Councillor Ann O'Byrne, said:- "We have had tremendous
interest in this scheme and we will now begin the hard job of assessing the
applications against the eligibility and priority criteria. We know from
previous experience that some people who apply aren't eligible, while others
decide during the process that it isn't for them or the properties aren't what
they are looking for. Ultimately, this is about giving people the chance
to get on the housing ladder as we seek to drive up the quality, standard and
range of properties in the City. Homes for a Pound is just one of a range of
measures we are using to bring a total of 4,000 houses across the City back into
use."
The homes targeted as part of the scheme are located in and around Britannia
Avenue, Altcar Avenue, Childwall Avenue, Dorset Avenue, Bird Street, Richardson
Street, Garrick Street, Tunstall Street and Webster Road.
To apply, people needed to meet the following criteria:-
► Live or work within the Liverpool City Council boundary.
► Be in paid employment.
► Be a first time buyer.
Additional priority is given to applicants with dependent children, who have a
good credit history and can demonstrate that they have savings to fund the
renovation of the property.
Successful applicants are required to:-
► Live in the property for a minimum of 5 years.
► Refurbish the property to the Decent Homes Standard.
► Comply with an agreed schedule of works.
The scheme is being split into separate phases based upon condition and
geography and the City Council will carry out remedial works on the properties
that are in a particularly poor condition to make sure that they are viable for
people to work on.
People who have applied will be contacted by the end of October 2015 and advised
about the next stage of the process.
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