New partnership to bring empty homes back to use launched at Scottish Empty Homes Conference
An innovative new project aimed at bringing empty homes back to use in Dundee was announced at the 13th Scottish Empty Homes Conference in Glasgow.
The project, which is being funded by the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) and The Community Impact Initiative (The Cii) will be the forerunner to a multi-year program that will regenerate empty homes in Dundee to provide housing for people in need.
The renovation work itself will be used to support over 180 local people to gain the skills and qualifications needed to move towards employment.
The Cii is an award-winning not-for-profit organisation supporting people affected by long-term unemployment and social isolation through the regeneration of empty homes.
Since they started in 2017, they have delivered 10 regeneration projects in Wales bringing empty properties back into use and have supported over 300 people. They use the renovation of empty properties as a vehicle to empower people to learn new skills, achieve qualifications, improve their wellbeing, build their confidence and connect with others in their community.
The Cii will work with the local community to learn about local need and build connections with community groups and the council. Once a detailed plan is agreed and funding is secured, they will break ground on the regeneration of the first empty home that they will be bringing back to use.
Lisa Borthwick, National Project Manager, Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, said:
“As a not for profit organisation with a fantastic track record of delivering empty home regeneration projects and supporting people in Wales, The Cii have consistently demonstrated their ability to deliver all aspects of this kind of project.
Their decision to expand their reach and expertise into Scotland is something we are delighted to be able to support, and will contribute towards achieving our objective of encouraging diverse involvement in work to bring empty homes back to use as affordable housing across Scotland.”
The long term program that will be developed as part of the project will be designed to last at least three years, bringing six empty properties back into use and supporting over 180 local people. The properties will be used to house people in housing need once they are renovated.
Trystan Jones, Chief Executive at The Cii, said:
“We’re very grateful to the SEHP for funding the first year of this project. We know from consultation that projects such as ours are desperately needed in Dundee and we look forward to helping people improve their circumstances whilst brining local empty homes back into use.”
The 13th Scottish Empty Homes Conference took place in Glasgow on 29 February and brought together over 100 housing professionals from organisations across Scotland to discuss the success and future of empty homes work.
Conference heard presentations from four other projects the Partnership has co-funded in Glasgow, Scottish Borders, the Western Isles and Perth and Kinross, and hosted a discussion on the role empty homes can play in addressing housing need across Scotland.
The event this year also saw the presentation of the Scottish Empty Homes Awards, sponsored by Auction House Scotland, celebrating the achievements and dedication of individuals and organisations in revitalising empty homes across Scotland.
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