Homeless charity helps launch empty homes hotline in Scotland
- 17 Jun
A free national helpline has been set up in Scotland which will allow members of the public to report empty homes in t
heir communities.
Created by the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, funded by the government and manned within homelessness charity Shelter Scotland’s offices, the helpline hopes to bring empty homes back into the community, reports 24dash.
Shelter Scotland believe that 150,000 families and individuals are waiting for homes and 27,000 long-term private properties in Scotland are empty.
The helpline will offer advice on a wide range of options for bringing empty homes back into use, linking callers with local empty homes officers dedicated to helping owners bring properties back into use and providing information on locally available empty homes funding.
Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “The launch of the national empty homes helpline is another step towards bringing more of Scotland’s 27,000 long-term private empty homes back into use. Whatever the reason for an empty home – whether it’s because the owner has sentimental attachment to it or they simply don't have the finances to carry out repair work, help is available. Bringing empty homes back into use has many benefits and whilst this alone won’t solve Scotland’s housing crisis, it can be part of the solution. We encourage people to call the helpline if they know of a long-term empty home in their area, or if they’re in fact the owner of an empty property”
Minister for housing and welfare, Margaret Burgess MSP, said: “It makes absolute sense to make the best use possible of the 27,000 homes lying empty across the country when homelessness still exists. By calling the helpline to report empty homes the public can play their part in breathing new life into town centres, aiding community regeneration and bringing empty homes back in to use.”
What do you think of this? Tweet us your comments @suppsolutions
Related articles
- 19 Aug
New supported housing facility to be built in Middlesbrough
The site has been developed by Riverside to provide supported housing, comprising of 20 self-contained flats for social housing and training facilities to support people into employment, reports the...
- 17 Aug
Supported living accommodation plans submitted in Leamington Spa
HB Villages Developments Ltd have made the application which will include a two-storey residential building of 16 self-contained one bedroom supported living apartments, reports The Leamington...
- 14 Aug
Young people in Sheffield given help to live independently
The course is run by Guinness Care and Support at the Sheffield Foyer, which is a 60-room scheme that provides accommodation for young people aged between 16-25 such as care leavers and young...
- 14 Aug
A new supported living scheme has opened in Paignton
Bridgman House has been opened to provide care for up to eight young people in transition from the family home, education or residential care, reports The Torquay Herald.The property is in the town...
- 13 Aug
Homelessness charity opens furniture shop in Nailsworth
Emmaus Gloucestershire has opened a shop in Nailsworth that sells upcycled furniture, allowing customers to have the opportunity to bring old furniture in to be restored or adapted to particular...
- 05 Aug
Restaurant in London helps to tackle youth homelessness
Alone in London, a charity that provides support, training and mediation for young homeless people and young people at risk of homelessness has joined forces with The Breakfast Club to create a...
- 04 Aug
Housing group’s supported housing contract extended
Progress Housing Group provide supported housing and support services for women and children fleeing domestic violence and young people facing homelessness, reports 24dash.Progress Housing manage a...
- 30 Jun
Empty homes fund launched by Scottish Government
The fund is to be used to revamp empty homes and convert derelict commercial spaces into affordable housing, reports Inside Housing. Under the scheme housing associations will be able to apply for...
- 22 Jun
People with vulnerabilities to receive support from new care scheme
People with vulnerabilities and people who are socially isolated in Reading are set to benefit from a new scheme run by GPs and Age UK, reports Get Reading. North West Reading NHS Clinical...
- 18 Jun
New initiative sees young people create food parcels for the homeless
The group of eight young people from Charles England House, a specialist young people’s housing scheme run by Merlin, put together 50 food parcels, reports 24dash.This new project is part of a new...
Responding to the DWP Consultation: Housing Benefit Reform - Supported Housing "I found the event informative and timely it helped me to complete our response to DWP without which I would have struggled." S.S. - Safe House
