Call to make use of empty houses

9:58am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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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.