21 November 2008Sevenoaks District Council has joined a pioneering initiative which is helping to bring empty properties back into use across Kent.
The Council has teamed up with Kent County Council and its neighbouring local councils of Tunbridge Wells, and Tonbridge & Malling, to launch a West Kent branch of No Use Empty; the Kent Empty Property Initiative.
The initiative was first launched almost two years ago as a partnership between Kent County Council and the District Councils of Dover, Shepway, Swale and Thanet as a direct, proactive response to the recurring problem of empty housing in East Kent. The initiative is now being rolled out Kent-wide to embrace all district councils.
There are currently around 600 empty properties across Sevenoaks District, which have been empty for six months or longer depriving people of a much needed home. The aims of the initiative are to raise awareness of the issue surrounding empty housing, the problems they cause to local communities, and to help bring them back into use.
No Use Empty will support the existing work carried out by Sevenoaks District Council to tackle the problem, giving housing officers access to a wider group of resources, skills and experiences and engaging in a joined-up approach with Kent County Council and bordering districts to achieve improved results in returning properties back to use.
The initiative has been widely recognized as a unique partnership between County and local councils, achieving tangible results by delivering a joined-up approach.
The three new councils were welcomed to the initiative at an event hosted by Kent County Council at the East Malling Conference Centre. Attended by local councillors, housing officers, and community groups, the event provided a platform from which to launch the event to West Kent, while giving a cross section of people the opportunity to talk to the No Use Empty team and discuss how the campaign can make a difference.
Cllr Carol Clark, Sevenoaks District Council's Cabinet member with responsibility for Housing says: "By working in partnership with our neighbouring districts and Kent County Council, we believe we can bring more empty properties back into use than would be possible by working in isolation. Together we can work closely with property owners by offering a package of advice and assistance that can help return empty properties to the housing market and provide much needed quality housing in the region."
Roger Gough, Cabinet Member for Regeneration at Kent County Council, adds: "It was always our intention to roll out the initiative across Kent and I'm delighted we've taken this significant step forward in engaging the support of the local councils in West Kent".
"We have already proved that the initiative is an effective and efficient approach to tackling empty housing in East Kent, and with the support of our new members I'm sure the initiative will make an equal impact in West Kent. The long term goal is for the initiative to embrace the whole of Kent and we look forward to welcoming new partners from across the county very soon".
For further information on the No Use Empty campaign, visit: www.no-use-empty.org or telephone the campaign hotline on 08458 247605.
Empty Housing - Key Facts
Empty properties are a waste of a valuable housing resource. The figure for long term empty homes in England is 290,000.
There are around 6,000 long term empty properties across the County, potentially blighting neighbourhoods and attracting vandalism. Meanwhile demand for affordable housing outstrips supply.
Empty properties can be a magnet for nuisance activities such as flytipping, graffiti, and other antisocial behaviour, such as shelter for drug users.
Research shows that houses with neighbouring empty properties are at risk of decreasing in value.
There are many reasons why properties remain long term empty. Either the owner hasn't got the time or resources to bring it back into use. Some owners just don't realise the huge demand in the market for empty properties.
Letting out a flat or a house can provide a significant income stream, or selling it a considerable windfall. Many house hunters are actively looking for a property in a state of disrepair to renovate.
No Use Empty
No Use Empty provides free help and advice to owners of empty properties, encouraging them to bring their properties back into use and explaining the options which are available to them. With the current housing shortage it is vital that as many owners as possible are encouraged to reuse their empty properties. There is also an important exercise in educating owners of the problems their properties are causing local communities, such as discouraging investment, de-valuing neighbouring communities and attracting anti-social behaviour such as fly-tipping and vandalism. There is also the small matter of owners losing out financially, as they are depriving themselves of a valuable income stream through regular rent or a one off lump sum through a sale. On the other side of the equation, the team also works with local developers and housing associations who are interested in acquiring empty properties for renovation into new homes.
