375 long-term empty homes restored
Telford and Wrekin Council has now brought 375 long-term empty homes back into use, reaching its target ahead of schedule and helping to increase the supply of good-quality housing across the borough.
The Council launched its long-term empty property strategy in 2021 to tackle homes that had been left empty for too long. Empty homes can fall into disrepair or attract fly-tipping and antisocial behaviour. Bringing them back into use helps improve communities while increasing the number of homes available for local people.
Since then, the council’s dedicated Empty Property Team has worked with owners to bring properties back into use and improve neighbourhoods across Telford and Wrekin.
Of the 375 homes brought back into use, the council has acquired 111 to provide specialist accommodation for vulnerable residents through it Next Steps and other supported accommodation programmes.
Councillor Richard Overton, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Highways, Housing and Enforcement, said:
“Empty homes don’t help anyone. They can fall into disrepair, attract fly-tipping and cause real problems for neighbours when they are left unused for long periods. That’s why we made a clear commitment to tackle long-term empty properties and bring them back into use.
“When we launched our Long-Term Empty Property Strategy in 2021, we set out to bring at least 375 empty homes back into use. I’m pleased that, working with property owners and our dedicated team, we have now reached that target.
“Our Empty Property Team has worked tirelessly over the last five years to work with property owners, use enforcement action where necessary, support our local communities and ultimately turn hundreds of empty properties back into warm and inviting homes.”
In most cases, the Empty Property Team offers advice and support to property owners, which has resulted in their property being brough back into use. With renovation costs often involved, the team promote the use of the local credit union to offer low-cost loans to help some owners cover the cost of repairs. In some cases, enforcement action may also be taken where properties have been left empty for long periods and are causing problems for neighbours.
The team has also helped people who are beneficiaries of deceased estates and currently have properties sitting empty to go through the probate process to bring homes back into use.
If you’re concerned about an empty property in your neighbourhood, you can report it here or email empty.homes@telford.gov.uk.
You can take a closer look at the council's Empty Property Strategy here.