Empty Homes Week, 15-21 February, provides an opportunity to highlight the work of councils and housing providers to bring empty properties back into use to help meet housing needs.
Hull City Council is celebrating the success of a shared tenancy scheme for people under the age of 35, which has homed 101 young people since its launch in 2018.
The council turned 27 empty properties into shared accommodation, providing a total of 63 units, all overseen by the Housing Solutions Team in the Targeted Youth Service. The properties provide high-quality, furnished accommodation for care leavers, unaccompanied asylum seekers and other vulnerable groups for whom the housing options would otherwise be limited to hostel provision, often poor quality private houses of multiple occupation, or costly supported living arrangements.
Councillor John Black, Hull City Council’s portfolio holder for housing, said: “The shared tenancy scheme is incredibly cost efficient when compared with alternative models, makes great use of these former empty properties and delivers excellent outcomes for those who use them.
“We’ve been approached by other councils asking for advice on how to set up similar schemes, and the success of the model has been recognised by the LGA, who awarded the council ‘The Best Housing Initiative’ at the 2020 LGA awards.
“The council continues to work hard to bring empty properties back into use.”
Anyone can report an empty property to the council on 01482 300300.
Landlords who don’t know what to do with an empty property can call 01482 300300, and the council may be able to purchase the property or pass details to property developers who may be interested in purchasing the property.
