Westminster debate on empty homes 11 September 2013 - webcast
September 11, 2013
Although the title of the debate was "Regeneration in Brierfield and Nelson" the issues raised had a wider relevance.
The relevant segment of the webcast starts at exactly 16:30. Empty Homes is introduced by the local MP at 16:36, when the issue of lender consent is raised as serious obstacle to delivering the local empty homes programme, funded in part by the HCA.
Replying on behalf of CLG|, Don Foster MP gave gave a strong plug for working with the Local Enterprise Partnership for the broader regeneration issues.
He went on to say that he was "particularly concerned" about the problems being faced by the empty homes programme - this segment starts at 16:50:40.
Recognising that council and registered providers had been working "incredibly hard" to deliver the empty homes programme, the issue with mortgage lender consents was acknowledged and Don Foster stated that his officials were seeking to find a solution to the problem. He noted that "the Empty Homes Network has drawn our attention to it" and said that officials were "working very closely indeed with the Empty Homes Network and the Council Mortgage Lenders" to find a resolution. It was also noted that "the Empty Homes Network is going to produce a guide to help lenders and providers find a solution to this problem".
