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BOROUGH POISED TO USE NEW POWERS TO BRING EMPTY HOMES INTO USE
July 12, 2005 5:04 PM
Chris Huhne, Eastleigh's MP, is keen that the borough should use new powers to bring disused homes back into use.
Mr Huhne, pictured here with Cllr Anne Winstanley in front of an empty property in Winchester Street, Fair Oak, said that there were probably at least 150 homes across the borough that had been abandoned for a year or more.
"At a time when we have more than 4,000 people on the local housing list, this is a shocking waste" said Chris. "Making these homes usable is the easiest and least controversial way of helping house young local people".
Liberal Democrats argued in favour of an act which would allow Housing Departments to identify empty properties and move people into them more quickly. The powers comes into force this autumn.
Commenting, Chris Huhne said "Lib Dems pressed for action to be taken so that empty properties can be used by those who need them most. I'm delighted that the borough is starting the work that will allow it to use its new powers to tackle Eastleigh's housing problems"
"The Housing Needs Survey published in October 2002 showed that we will need more than 600 homes per year. This is a good way of making the best use of whatever we have available.
"Any policy that brings homes into use means that there is less need for new homes whether within existing urban areas or on greenfield sites" said Chris
"Using these properties is good for the environment because it cleans up eyesores. It is also good for the local community because empty properties attract crime, vandalism and anti-social behaviour. By allowing people to take up these houses we can help create sustainable, local communities"
Cllr Anne Winstanley, the executive councillor in charge of housing, said that the borough was keen to use the housing stock as fully as possible and that these new powers would be useful.
"Bringing empty homes back into use is one of the easiest ways of helping those on the housing list, and also of helping areas to maintain themselves" said Cllr Winstanley.
Homes can become empty for many reasons notably following the death of an owner who dies without known heirs, or due to neglect by many inheritors of the property.
Notes to Editors
· The Local Government Act 2003 allowed Housing Departments to use council tax data to identify empty properties.
· The Housing Needs survey carried out in October 2002 indicates a need within the Borough for 616 new affordable homes per annum
· 155 empties can in Eastleigh are classed as 'true empties'. 0.3% of of the properties in Eastleigh.
· True empties are houses which have been empty for 12 months or more and are unfurnished
· There are 47,800 dwellings in Eastleigh
· The Council has managed to bring 17 properties back into use in the last two financial years.
Ends
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