A leading Welsh charity is calling on people to report empty homes in their area.
As part of the 17th National Empty Homes week (22-26 November), Shelter Cymru is highlighting the problem of empty properties, as well as their potential to help meet housing need in communities across Wales.
There are more than 26,000 privately owned properties in Wales that have been empty for six months or more. At the same time, around 91,000 households are on waiting lists for council and social housing.
“Empty homes are a blight on communities, often attracting fly-tipping and vandalism, which can tie up local resources and deter investment in an area,” said Fiona Roberts, empty homes officer at Shelter Cymru.
“Even worse, they represent a huge waste of resources at a time when we already have a desperate shortage of homes in Wales and public spending cuts are making new building projects increasingly unaffordable.”
Studies have shown that the average cost of returning empty homes to a habitable state is between £6,000 and £12,000 per property. Around 2,000 empty homes could be brought back into use for £20m.
“Bringing these homes back into use is cost effective and benefits everyone. There are more homes for people in housing need, the owners get a rental income and the neighbourhood benefits from the property being occupied, “she added.
Shelter Cymru has been working with local authorities and their partners to make more effective use of privately owned empty homes to meet housing need by providing free advice, consultancy and good practice exchanges.
To report an empty home in your area, visit www.sheltercymru.org.uk and click on the empty homes link.
