Funding boost to tackle empty homes amid Scotland’s housing emergency

The Scottish government has announced an additional £700 million fund to bring empty homes back into use.

The funding will help homeowners cover the cost of essential repairs and refurbishment work needed to make empty properties habitable.

The news comes as Propertymark has warned that new powers allowing councils to take over the management of empty homes in England could create complications with the Renters’ Rights Act.

Turn empty homes into affordable homes

The funding will be shared across 10 local authorities, which can use it to launch or expand grant schemes for empty homeowners.

Cabinet secretary for social justice and housing Shirley-Anne Somerville said: “We want everyone in Scotland to be able to have a warm, safe and affordable place to call home.

“While house building remains the cornerstone of our approach to increase supply, we’re using every lever available to make sure existing homes support the needs of our communities too. That’s why this funding matters.

“Temporary accommodation can act as an important safety net, but we also recognise the impact that long-term stays can have particularly on children’s wellbeing and stability. This funding may help councils to move households from temporary into settled permanent accommodation.

“Our investment of £5.7 million in the Partnership approach has delivered real results with more than 15,000 empty homes brought back into use since 2010, including a record 2,285 in the last year alone. This latest investment will help local authorities turn more empty homes into affordable housing for people who need them the most.”

Funding is vital in housing emergency

Propertymark has welcomed the funding, saying bringing empty homes back into use is vital amid Scotland’s housing emergency.

Hazel MacIver, policy and campaigns officer at Propertymark, said: “We are pleased to see additional funding to bring more empty homes back into use. We have long said that redeploying empty homes is an efficient and cost-effective way to ease housing pressures and boost property values, but it can also improve and revive local communities.

“This is even more vital in a housing emergency where building more houses is essential, but at the same time, bringing empty homes back into use can ease the pressure on housing availability. Strengthening the Empty Homes Partnership and further resourcing it means that work to tackle empty homes can be expanded.”