|
Liverpool pilots empty homes matchmaker
service
THE Council is aiming to introduce buyers and sellers of
vacant properties in a bid to bring more empty homes back into use after
slashing long term vacancies by a quarter since 2014.
Liverpool can reveal its number of long term empty properties (empty for more
than 6 months) has dropped from 6,382 to 4,800. And to mark Empty Homes Week,
Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson has set a new target of bringing a further 3,000
new homes back into use over the next 3 years.
Key successes in this regeneration drive includes Liverpool Council's celebrated
homes for a pound scheme which has now seen 40 properties fully converted with
another 60 in the pipeline.
The City Council also works with private sector partners in the Liverpool
Housing Partnership, a scheme which aims to bring up to 1,000 vacant homes back
into use as part of a ₤205 million investment over a 5 year period which this
year saw the opening of the award winning regeneration of Marwood Towers in
Everton, North Liverpool.
Mayor Anderson said:- "Empty properties are wasted homes and can cause a
range of problems that impacts on the environment and value of neighbouring
properties. We've made huge strides in bringing down the number of long term
vacant properties in recent years and this matchmaking service is part of a new
approach to stimulate the market and create even more new affordable homes for
families."
Councillor Frank Hont, Cabinet Member for Housing, added:- "We are
regularly approached by investors enquiring about empty homes in the City so we
know the demand is there. A lot of effort will be going into making this pilot
scheme work, with an empty homes loan being looked into, because it has the
potential to make even more progress in breathing new life back into communities
blighted by this issue."
The free matchmaking service has been designed to be a
simple step by step service.
All empty home owners have to do is complete a property information form, the
details from which will be shared, via email, to more than 100 investors already
registered on the Council's database. Owners of an empty property wishing to register for the scheme, or if you are
interested in purchasing an empty property in the City, should
email
them.
|
