Lib Dems unveil £1.4bn empty homes scheme

Councils and housing associations would be able to bid for a share of a £1 billion fund to create 100,000 social homes. They would be responsible for allocating this money in grants of up to £10,000 per home.

Councils could use the money to improve their own homes, and private individuals would also be eligible if they committed to make their property social housing for at least 10 years.

The remaining £400 million will be available to improve 150,000 private homes, in the form of low-cost loans.

The Lib Dems believe the scheme would create 65,000 connected jobs. Shadow housing minister Sarah Teather said: ‘Housing continues to be a main priority for the Liberal Democrats. In a time of recession this will be an affordable, effective way of making inroads into the ever increasing waiting list as well as improving communities.

‘Empty properties are not only a wasted resource but blight the local community, attracting crime and anti-social behaviour.’

The Lib Dems say there are 760,000 empty homes across England.

Party leader Nick Clegg said: ‘The cost of bringing these homes back into use is just a fraction of the cost of building new ones, yet the government is sitting idly by while they fall into disrepair.’

Have your say

You must sign in to make a comment