Empty homes in Weymouth, Portland and West Dorset will be brought back into action thanks to £150,000 from the New Homes Bonus.
The scheme was announced by the Government in February last year.
For every empty house returned to use West Dorset District Council and Weymouth & Portland Borough council will receive around £7,000 over the next six years.
The £150,000 will fund an officer to deal with empty homes, work with property owners and cover the legal cost of enforcement.
There are 408 empty properties in Weymouth and Portland and 540 in West Dorset. Properties can be left empty for many reasons, most commonly due to being up for sale or renovation.
The councils have highlighted a total of 200 empty ‘problem properties’ it will prioritize to get back into use over the next three years.
The problem of empty homes had been highlighted following a national television programme last year that looked into the number of empty homes across the UK.
Robert Gould, Leader of West Dorset District Council, said: “The council needs to maximise its income from every possible source to protect frontline services. Bringing empty homes back into use will help us do this as well as tackling the obvious waste of properties standing empty.”
Amanda Legg, Brief Holder for Housing at Weymouth & Portland Borough Council, said: “The scheme gives the council a fantastic opportunity to tackle the problem of empty houses in the borough which is a big issue nationwide.
“The television show late last year really highlighted the problem and it is an issue the council has been looking to tackle for a while. So this funding will really help us.
“Residents can help the council to deal with the issue by reporting empty homes in their neighbourhood.”
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West Dorset District Council
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Weymouth and Portland Borough Council
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March 27th, 2012 at 9:56 pm
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The new loan fund for empty homes will operate as part of a wider fund for innovative and other good value for money projects to deliver affordable housing. Further details on the fund and how organisations can apply for funding will be provided later in the year.
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