Westmorland And Furness Shares Empty Homes Strategy As Council Ranks Fifth In UK.
Westmorland and Furness Council has shared details of its strategy for tackling long-term empty homes after new figures highlighted the scale of the issue across the area.
The council's Empty Homes Strategy is aimed at reducing the number of properties that are standing empty while demand for suitable and affordable housing remains high. The strategy recognises that returning existing homes to occupation can provide an important source of accommodation without requiring new properties to be built.
Westmorland and Furness has previously identified empty homes as an important housing issue and introduced measures designed to encourage owners to bring unused properties back into use. The authority has also used empty homes grants and other support to help address properties that may require significant work before they can be occupied.
The council's approach forms part of a wider effort to make better use of existing buildings and land. Its long-term vision includes providing housing for all and making the best use of existing buildings, particularly as communities across the area face pressures around affordability and housing availability.
Long-term empty properties can create problems beyond the loss of potential housing. Buildings left unoccupied for years can deteriorate, affect the appearance of neighbourhoods and, in some cases, contribute to wider problems for surrounding communities. Bringing them back into use can therefore provide both housing and wider regeneration benefits.
The authority has previously reported progress in bringing long-term empty homes back into use, with its performance reporting highlighting a significant improvement in this area. The council has also continued work through its housing and community programmes to increase the number of properties available for residents.
The issue is particularly important in Westmorland and Furness, a large and predominantly rural local authority area where more than half of the population lives in rural communities. The council covers a wide geographical area, meaning that access to suitable housing can be particularly important for maintaining sustainable local communities.
Council officials are expected to continue working with property owners, landlords and other partners to identify empty properties and encourage their return to productive use. Enforcement and financial support can both play a role where properties have remained empty for long periods.
The council's strategy reflects the growing recognition that tackling empty homes should form part of the solution to the UK's housing shortage. By making better use of properties that already exist, local authorities can potentially provide additional homes while also helping to improve neighbourhoods.
For Westmorland and Furness, the latest ranking has brought further attention to the scale of the challenge. The council's continued focus on long-term empty homes is intended to ensure that more existing properties can once again become homes for people living and working across the area.
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