We are supporting national Empty Homes Week 2022.
The campaign, organised by Action on Empty Homes, takes place between Monday, 28 February and Sunday, 6 March 2022 and raises awareness of the work being done across the country to reduce the number of long-term empty homes.
There are around 1,500 long-term vacant properties in Medway and, with a huge demand for housing in the area, we are doing all it can to encourage homeowners to turn their empty properties into future-proofed homes.
During the week we will be providing advice for the owners of empty homes and advising residents how they can report empty properties which are causing concern in their neighbourhoods.
Wherever possible we try to improve housing standards by providing advice and support to homeowners however, we do have a range of powers we can use to make sure properties are brought back into use. The powers include ordering owners to undertake works and to make their buildings safe.
Last year we also joined Kent County Council’s No Use Empty scheme which offers loans to homeowners to help pay for any renovations that are needed to make their houses inhabitable once again.
Wasted empty properties into future proofed homes
Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Housing, said: “I am pleased we are supporting national Empty Homes Week. There is a huge demand for new houses in Medway and with the right planning and investment we can turn today’s wasted empty properties into future proofed homes. I would encourage residents with empty houses in Medway to find out more about the support on offer.”
Find out more about empty homes.
Find out more about No Use Empty.