Move to end the ‘scandal’ of homes going to waste

People who own empty homes would be given cash to renovate the properties and bring them back into use, under Lib-Dem plans.

Under the proposals more than 250,000 homes would be brought back into use the party claims.

Owners would be given a grant if the home is for social housing or a cheap loan to renovate the property if it is for private use.

Figures provided by the Lib-Dems show there are 3,978 empty homes in Rochdale and 5,500 families waiting for homes.

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen said: “Allowing thousands of houses to sit empty when millions of families have been waiting years for a home is nothing short of a scandal.

"Here in Rochdale we have thousands of people waiting for housing and the Government sits idly by while they fall into disrepair.

"The cost of bringing these homes up to living standards would be a fraction of the cost it would be to build new ones. It also makes environmental sense as there isn’t a need to redevelop as much green belt land.

"This is just one element of our economic stimulus package that will generate jobs and help Britain on its way to building a fair, sustainable economy."

Lib-Dems leader Nick Clegg said: “Allowing thousands of houses to sit empty when millions of families have been waiting years for a home is nothing short of a scandal.

“These plans are a clear example of where Liberal Democrat priorities lie: creating jobs and providing more family homes.

“The cost of bringing these homes back into use is just a fraction of the cost of build yet the Government is sitting idly by while they fall into disrepair.

“This is one element of our economic stimulus package that will generate jobs and help Britain on its way to building a fair, sustainable economy.”

The proposals would cost £3.6billion.

The plans are part of an election package set out by Mr Clegg.

Councils have powers to seize empty homes. Empty dwelling management orders (EDMOs) were introduced in 2006 to give a council temporary management rights over homes at risk of falling prey to squatters, drug-dealers and fly-tippers — allowing a house to revert to its original owner at a later date.

EDMOs are designed to kick out a landlord refusing to co-operate with attempts to bring a property back into use.

But across the country just 27 properties have been refurbished in that way, none by Rochdale Council according to Government information.