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Housing Shortage Solution?
John Healey, Housing Minister has announced that extra support will be provided to 17 local authority areas in order to get empty, derelict houses back in use.
Empty homes, especially those in disrepair, can be a magnet for a number of different anti-social behaviour, including drug taking and vandalism.
This support will be given to 17 councils where anti-social behaviour is known to be focused around empty homes. As well as giving councils a boost in order to train key members of staff on the best way to get empty houses back in use.
John Healey comments: "Empty houses are both a blight on communities and a waste of much needed homes. Councils already have strong legal powers to force the owners of empty properties to act and if necessary take over homes, but these powers are often neither used nor understood properly. I'm backing 17 councils in areas where empty homes have been a magnet for vandalism and other types of anti-social activities. They will get the cash they need to renovate and re-let empty homes back, reviving run-down areas of their communities."
Home Office Minister David Hanson said: "We know derelict homes can often be a catalyst for crime and anti-social behaviour. This extra funding will help address that problem, making a real and visible difference to these communities."
