The Empty Homes Network are excited to announce that Councillor Sharon Thompson will present the opening address at this year’s National Empty Homes Conference in Birmingham on Wednesday 24th May.
As Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness for Birmingham City Council, Cllr Thompson is a passionate advocate for empty homes work, and was previously the portfolio lead for vulnerable children and families, special educational needs, children’s services and corporate parenting.
Keen to promote and improve Birmingham for its citizens, Sharon is a strong advocate for collaborative partnerships, with an authentic and inclusive approach to leadership. She has been a passionate advocate for eradicating homelessness and spearheaded Birmingham’s Homelessness Prevention Strategy 2017+ which is partnership focused on its outcomes.
On the announcement, Cllr Thompson said, “I’m delighted to be opening the Empty Homes Conference on behalf of the Empty Homes Network. Last year Birmingham City Council’s Empty Homes Property Team brought 184 homes back into use through collaborative work with owners and the use of a variety of enforcement measures. The work carried out by the Empty Property Team in bringing houses back into use is vital to the City Council’s aims to maintain sustainable communities and neighbourhoods. The homes that are brought back are often real neighbourhood eyesores as they have usually been left empty for years. The work of the team also has the additional benefit of providing much needed housing to meet the needs of our citizens. I’m sure everyone attending the conference will find it a really valuable learning and networking experience.”
To book your place at this year’s flagship empty homes event, or to see the full line-up of speakers and sessions, visit our dedicated Conference website here.