12 SEPTEMBER 2009
NEW HOMES HELP MEET RELIGION'S HOUSING NEEDS

A Quantum Consortium member is helping to meet affordable housing needs in the midlands by returning empty homes to use.

Amber Valley Housing has been working with Amber Valley Borough Council and Erewash Borough Council to support both authorities' empty homes strategies.

The work is supporting a national campaign to return empty homes to use by buying them up, refurbishing them to meet modern standards and letting them to those in housing need.

Since starting the projects, Amber Valley Housing has purchased, repaired and let 18 new homes in partnership with Amber Valley Borough Council and Erewash Borough Council.

Paul Parkinson, executive director of Amber Valley Housing, said: “These projects are delivering a double benefit for local neighbourhoods. Empty homes can have a negative impact on the appearance of streets as they are more likely to fall prey to vandalism as well as fall generally into disrepair due to neglect.

“By purchasing and refurbishing them we are helping to remove this blight. At the same time it is helping to tackle the region's growing housing needs by making better use of housing stock to get families and other households into good-quality, affordable homes.”

According to the Empty Homes Agency, a national campaigning charity, there are around 762,000 empty homes in the UK - with around half of these being unoccupied long term.

In addition to the ‘purchase and repair' projects, Amber Valley Housing is also developing a number of new affordable homes - both for affordable rent and shared ownership.

These include 25 houses and six flats at Whitemoor Lane, Belper; 18 family houses at Rawson Green, Belper and 27 family homes and 11 bungalows at South Street, Swanwick. All developments should be underway by the end of this year with the first homes being completed by next summer.

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