(Shutterstock)
GLASGOW’S empty homes strategy (EHS) has brought 1,710 properties back into productive use since its introduction in April 2019, the city’s local authority has announced.
The strategy has an annual target of bringing 200-250 empty homes back into use, with Glasgow City Council’s housing strategy having a target of 1,800 empty homes being reoccupied from 2023 to 2028.
The local authority said there are currently 2,641 long-term empty homes in the city, with the cost of acquiring and refurbishing such properties being ‘substantially’ lower than the price of building a new home.
There are a number of reasons for homes becoming empty, such as mortgage default and repossessions; deceased or untraceable owners; property title issues; and properties which have fallen into a state of disrepair.
Councillor Kenny McLean, convener for housing at Glasgow City Council, said, “Glasgow’s empty homes strategy has been an outstanding success, bringing over 1,700 homes back to life for people and families, and playing an important role in increasing the housing supply in the city. There is enormous demand for homes in Glasgow, and programmes such as this help increase the housing supply to meet some of that need.”
