The Empty Homes Network has welcomed the launch of Liverpool City Council's new Empty Homes Grant Scheme, describing it as a significant milestone both for the city and for the empty homes sector nationally.
The scheme will provide grants of between £5,000 and £20,000 to owners of long-term empty properties, helping to fund essential repairs and improvements needed to bring homes back into use. In return, participating owners will work with the Council to provide much-needed accommodation for households in housing need. The initiative forms part of a wider £7.3 million programme that aims to return hundreds of vacant properties to productive use across the city over the coming years.
The Empty Homes Network believes the launch represents one of the most significant local authority commitments to empty homes work seen in recent years and sends a powerful message about the role that existing housing stock can play in addressing housing pressures.
Adam Cliff, Executive Director of the Empty Homes Network, said:
"This is a hugely positive step forward for Liverpool and an important moment for the empty homes sector nationally. At a time when housing demand continues to outstrip supply, it is encouraging to see a local authority recognising that empty homes are not simply a housing standards issue, but a valuable and important source of additional housing supply."
"For many years, empty homes practitioners have argued that bringing vacant properties back into use should sit alongside new build development as part of a comprehensive housing strategy. Liverpool's investment demonstrates a clear commitment to that principle and shows that councils are increasingly willing to explore innovative ways of unlocking existing housing stock."
The scheme is expected to help reduce the number of long-term empty properties across Liverpool while also supporting households currently in need of accommodation. By providing financial assistance to property owners, the Council is helping to overcome one of the most common barriers to bringing empty homes back into use: the cost of renovation and repair.
The launch also reflects a growing recognition across the sector that empty homes work can deliver multiple benefits. Alongside increasing housing supply, bringing vacant properties back into use can help improve neighbourhoods, reduce blight, tackle anti-social behaviour and support local economic activity.
Adam added:
"Every empty home brought back into use is potentially a household housed, a neighbourhood improved and a wasted asset returned to productive use. While new housing delivery will always be important, we must not overlook the thousands of homes that already exist and could provide accommodation much more quickly if the right support mechanisms are in place."
"Liverpool has a strong history of innovation in empty homes work, from pioneering initiatives such as Homes for a Pound through to this latest grant programme. We hope this scheme will encourage other local authorities to consider what more can be done to support owners and accelerate the return of empty homes to use."
The Empty Homes Network looks forward to following the progress of the programme and seeing the positive impact it delivers for residents, communities and neighbourhoods across Liverpool.
As councils across the country continue to explore solutions to housing shortages and rising demand, Liverpool's investment provides further evidence that empty homes are increasingly being recognised as a vital part of the housing supply picture, rather than a niche area of housing policy. The Network hopes the scheme will serve as an example of what can be achieved when local authorities are prepared to invest in bringing existing homes back into use and supporting owners to become part of the solution.
