Wigan Council's empty homes scheme sees 750 properties put back into circulation
Wigan Council’s initiative to bring empty homes back into use has seen success with 750 buildings being brought back into circulation.
Since 2021, the local authority has used a number of methods to bring unused properties back into circulation, in an effort to boost the supply of affordable housing.
This includes outreach work to contact owners of empty homes to talk through the options available and funding for refurbishment schemes.
Coun Susan Gambles, cabinet portfolio holder for housing and welfare, said: “Bringing these properties back into use for local residents is having a life-changing impact, not just for those occupants, but for the entire community.
“There are a number of reasons why a property may be left empty and our officers have been able to offer different options that the owner may not have been aware of.
“As we can see from these latest figures, there have been hundreds of success stories, including the example of our officers tracking a family in Australia who didn’t know they owned a property in our borough.”
Another example of how properties are brought back into use is the council’s Empty Homes Investment Scheme.
It provides funding of up to £25k for owners to cover the costs of repair works.
Refurbished homes are then leased through the Council’s Ethical Lettings Agency, in an effort to boost the supply of affordable housing while improving neighbourhoods, and rental income pays back that upfront investment by the council.
Coun Gambles said:
“Unfortunately there is not enough social housing to meet demand.
“We are continuing to work proactively to build more homes in our borough, but by also taking a different approach we can get more benefit from the homes that are already here.
“The investment made by the council is repaid through the rental income, so it is a real win all round.”