Empty property programme

1

• Empty property programme
• Kirsten Firth
• SELHP Private Sector Coordinator

2
Current programme

• Funding
• 2.25m in 2006-8
• 1.125m in 2008-9
• Grants up to 15k per property
• Two empty property officers
• 133 properties brought back into use in 2006-8
• Target of 80 in 2008-9

3
Current programme

• Coordination
• Bi-monthly Empty Property Group
• Joint training drawing on sub-regional expertise
• Sub-regional publicity materials
• Property standards guide
• Liaison on possible London-wide procurement of
  EDMO managing agents
• Annual SELHP Landlord Day

4
Funding bid 2009-11 - 6.2m

• Grants up to 50k for listed / very dilapidated
  properties
• Continue existing 15k grants
• Help to sell small grants
• Up-front and non-recoverable costs of CPOs and
  EDMOs
• LA-owned listed properties on EH Risk Register
• 3 Empty Property Officers
• Empty Property surveys
• Publicity

5
Are we in touch with what local people want?

• Long-term dilapidated eye-sore properties vs.
  quick wins
• Finding a viable use for historic buildings
• Sustainability renovation vs new-build,
  brownfield targets, reducing carbon emissions
• Neighbourhoods tackling anti-social behaviour,
  vandalism and dereliction town centre
  management impact on local businesses
  mothballed developments
• Private sector housing for local people
• More empty homes in an ailing market?