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Call to make use of empty houses
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| Calls for action are being made to make the increasing number of empty properties available to people in desperate need of housing |
A RISE in the number of empty homes in Basingstoke and Deane has prompted a call for action to make those properties available to people in desperate need of housing.
In May 2008, there were 807 properties that had been empty for longer than six months - up 17 per cent from 692 in 2007, according to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council data. In May 2006, the figure was 676.
Borough Labour group leader Councillor Laura James said: "The increase in the number of empty properties is quite disturbing."
She added: "For many of these properties, there are very good reasons as to why they are empty. But for many others, there just isn't a good reason and it's these where the council should be working with the owners to get them back into use.
"We've got a real need for good family housing in Basingstoke and if just a fraction of these houses could be brought back into use, it could make a massive difference to people's lives."
Two years ago, the Government handed councils new powers, called Empty Dwelling Management Orders, to enable them to take over
management of empty homes in certain circumstances and bring them back into occupation.
"We the council haven't used any of these," said Cllr James, who said her group would table a council motion calling for a solution to the empty homes problem to be found.
In a statement, the council said the rise in the number of empty dwellings was, in part, down to about 50 properties awaiting demolition as part of major redevelopment plans, while others were waiting to be sold in a slowing housing market.
Cllr Cathy Osselton, Cabinet member for health and housing, told The Gazette the council's new housing and homelessness strategy, to be presented at July's Cabinet meeting, would address the issue.
"It's not an easy task and it must be done properly," she said. "I'm looking at every aspect, in this economic climate, of housing."
A draft version of the strategy, prepared for the council's sustainable communities overview committee, revealed the council brought 26 empty homes back into use last year.
Officers stated they wanted to bring 18 properties back into use annually and would use the Government powers if necessary.
9:58am Thursday 3rd July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Picket Dewfury, Basingstoke on 10:01am Thu 3 Jul 08
Is that not a picture of a block of 1 room bedsits making it somewhat out of context?
Is that not a picture of a block of 1 room bedsits making it somewhat out of context?
Posted by: Carlos Tilbury, overton on 11:12pm Thu 3 Jul 08
I think if 20% of all these dwellings could be put to use would be a good thing, there must be hundreds of flats empty and much needed family homes, if this power is availible then why hasnt it be put to use?
I think if 20% of all these dwellings could be put to use would be a good thing, there must be hundreds of flats empty and much needed family homes, if this power is availible then why hasnt it be put to use?
Posted by: diane, Basingstoke on 8:58am Fri 4 Jul 08
There is a 3 bed house 2 doors away from me, that hasn't been lived in for over 5 years now, the fire brigade finally boarded it up last year, the owner pops oout of his car once a year and looks at the outside then drives away again, he won't discuss the house with any of the local residents, in this situation teh council should enforce the sale to the council so the house can be used for a family.
There is a 3 bed house 2 doors away from me, that hasn't been lived in for over 5 years now, the fire brigade finally boarded it up last year, the owner pops oout of his car once a year and looks at the outside then drives away again, he won't discuss the house with any of the local residents, in this situation teh council should enforce the sale to the council so the house can be used for a family.
Posted by: pingu, Iceland on 1:24pm Fri 4 Jul 08
It's disgusting. But why would anyone bother, it doesn't make them any money does it.
It's disgusting. But why would anyone bother, it doesn't make them any money does it.
Posted by: Jo Walke on 11:50pm Fri 4 Jul 08
What would be more informative would be a breakdown on these figures.
Just how many are perhaps new and awaiting sale? Are there any housing association owned properties on the list?
Also perhaps more useful would be to weed out those that have been empty for longer than six months such as diane's example above - but it can take a while for families in mourning to sort a relatives home for example and this could easily overtake any 6mth marker.
What would be more informative would be a breakdown on these figures.
Just how many are perhaps new and awaiting sale? Are there any housing association owned properties on the list?
Also perhaps more useful would be to weed out those that have been empty for longer than six months such as diane's example above - but it can take a while for families in mourning to sort a relatives home for example and this could easily overtake any 6mth marker.
Posted by: Jo Walke on 11:54pm Fri 4 Jul 08
Families in mourning shouldn't be put under additional pressure with the thought that after a few months the council could come knocking....
Families in mourning shouldn't be put under additional pressure with the thought that after a few months the council could come knocking....
Posted by: David, Chineham on 5:48pm Sat 5 Jul 08
Who needs flats and housing conversions when you've got 800 empty properties?
I guess that you'd have to say "Not used or put up for sale for 6 months".
Who needs flats and housing conversions when you've got 800 empty properties?
I guess that you'd have to say "Not used or put up for sale for 6 months".
Posted by: Carlos Tilbury, overton on 11:58pm Sat 5 Jul 08
Famiies in mourning wouldnt be, there are correct procedures for dealing with those issues, but the rest should be brought into use, if they have this power then start using it where they can.
Famiies in mourning wouldnt be, there are correct procedures for dealing with those issues, but the rest should be brought into use, if they have this power then start using it where they can.
Posted by: Jo Walke on 7:58pm Sun 6 Jul 08
I firmly agree that as we have a high need for housing in this area that anything empty should be utilised - not left to rot or become the focus of asb.
But until there is some better clarification on this figure - eg a lot more than 50 could be for sale (and if a house is empty but for sale there aint alot you can do with it)- then there isn't much point in jumping and saying 'we've so many empty'.
I firmly agree that as we have a high need for housing in this area that anything empty should be utilised - not left to rot or become the focus of asb.
But until there is some better clarification on this figure - eg a lot more than 50 could be for sale (and if a house is empty but for sale there aint alot you can do with it)- then there isn't much point in jumping and saying 'we've so many empty'.
Posted by: Alan, South Ham on 6:59pm Mon 7 Jul 08
[quote]quote[/quote] Are there any housing association owned properties on the list?
[quote]quote[/quote]
It needs to be recognised that if an Housing Associations has an empty property this means a loss of revenue and would be carefully monitored on a monthly basis. These figures are also something measured for auditing by Government watchdogs, to monitor and evaluate how an association is performing.
I would be very surprised if [italic][bold]any[/bold][/italic] Housing Association had empty properties for more than 21 days unless there is a real problem with the condition it has been left in.
quote
Are there any housing association owned properties on the list?
quote
It needs to be recognised that if an Housing Associations has an empty property this means a loss of revenue and would be carefully monitored on a monthly basis. These figures are also something measured for auditing by Government watchdogs, to monitor and evaluate how an association is performing.
I would be very surprised if
any Housing Association had empty properties for more than 21 days unless there is a real problem with the condition it has been left in.
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