EHN news

May Conference: Kent No Use Empty initiative becomes Gold Supporter

Submitted by David Gibbens on

We are pleased to announce that the Kent No Use Empty Initiative has become a Gold Supporter for the National Empty Homes Conference organised by the Empty Homes Network for 20th May 2015 in Birmingham.

The Kent initiative has established a fantastic track record on delivery and aspects of its model have now been exported to Wales and to the West of England partnership of four authorities around Bristol. Support from No Use Empty represents a big vote of confidence in our Conference.

Empty Homes Network launches first Online Practitioner Guide to enforced sale

Submitted by David Gibbens on

The Empty Homes Network is pleased to be able to offer its first online Practitioner Guide. The new Guide to Enforced Sale has been written by Chris Skinner.

Chris, a solicitor at Norfolk County Council's shared legal services nplaw, is known for his work on enforced sales and compulsory purchase orders and will be speaking at our May 20th Conference.

EHN Christmas Quiz

Submitted by Nick P-G on

In the spirit of the festive season, I have cooked up EHN's first ever Christmas quiz, featuring absolutely no prizes for the first person to submit the right answers.

1. In which year did “The Great British Property Scandal” first appear on Channel 4?

A. 2010.

B. 2011.

C. 1983.

2. David Ireland was awarded what honour in the 2013 Queen’s Birthday Honours?

A. MBE.

B. OBE.

C. BBies.

Revised draft of EHN policy position paper published

Submitted by David Gibbens on

In response to members' comments in our online forum, a revised discussion draft of the EHN Policy Position paper has been published, downloadable from our library here.

To allow time for responses to the revised draft, the EHN Executive has accepted a revision of the deadline to 18th December 2014 with the expectation that the final version will be published at the beginning of 2015. The draft will also be discussed at our Executive meeting on Wednesday, 10th December.

Welcome to incoming Executive

Submitted by EHNAdmin on

With no contention for Executive places, those people nominated were returned unopposed and without the need for an election (phew!).

At its last meeting in July, the Executive voted a huge thank you to Matt Smith of Birmingham City Council (pictured left) for his two-year stint as Chair, a period that included continuing growth for the Empty Homes Network despite the cuts and was also brightened by probably the two best national Conferences that EHN has ever run. Matt's steadying influence has been invaluable during a challenging time.

Empty Homes Network pinterest page created

Submitted by David Gibbens on

There is now an Empty Homes Network pinterest webpage which will provide a useful hub of links to stories and projects elsewhere on the web as well as to features on our own website.

We welcome new followers - just click one of the "follow" buttons on our pinterest webpage....which is http://www.pinterest.com/EmptyHomesNet/empty-homes-network/

Short survey seeks practitioners' views

Submitted by David Gibbens on

Adrian White, a student at Plymouth University, is conducting research into housing supply, including the role that can be played by empty homes work, including conversions of redundant commercial space.

This is an interactive online suvey using Smartsurvey. It takes just a couple of minutes to complete and you're encouraged to help Adrian by doing so. We'll report the results in due course when Adrian has analysed them.

You can access the survey here.

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