North Wales Housing, working in partnership with Denbighshire County Council, has purchased three long term empty homes in West Rhyl, which it intends to refurbish and make available as low cost housing.
The refurbishment is part of the Denbighshire Empty Homes Project, which was set up to give unoccupied dwellings a new lease of life as affordable housing. Part funded by the Welsh Assembly Government through the North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Area Funding, the scheme is thought to be one of the first of its kind in the country.
The key aims of the Denbighshire Empty Homes Project are to support regeneration and increase the supply of affordable housing. As West Rhyl is one of Wales’ most deprived wards, it is fitting that the three homes purchased by North Wales Housing will be some of the first to benefit from the project. Denbighshire County Council Lead Member for Regeneration, Councillor David Thomas says:
“It’s a tragedy to see perfectly good homes lying empty when there are so many people who would love to have their own home. We’re delighted to be part of this project, and to have the opportunity to help local people become home owners for the first time.”
In keeping with the ethos of helping local people to progress, North Wales Housing’s Contractor – K&C Construction – is working with Construction Skills Wales to provide training placements as part of the refurbishment works. According to Helen White, Chair of the North Wales Housing:
“We see this as more than an investment in bricks and mortar. By encouraging people to become owner occupiers, we’re actually investing in the community itself – helping local people to learn new skills and develop a career goes hand in hand with that ideal.”
Jocelyn Davies AM, Welsh Assembly Government Deputy Minister for Housing and Regeneration added,
“Through the North Wales Coast Strategic Regeneration Programme the Assembly Government is striving to improve housing conditions in the area and expand access to affordable housing for local people. This project will enable us to achieve that whilst helping local people gain valuable new skills, and is an example of what can be achieved when local organisations work in partnership.”
Refurbishment work on the properties has begun, with the first property being ready for sale by mid February.
