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ISHERWOOD: HOUSING MINISTER QUESTIONED OVER POTENTIAL USE OF EMPTY HOMES BY HOUSING ASSOCIATIONS |
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Press release /Datganiad i’r wasg
January 29th 2011
NORTH Wales AM Mark Isherwood, has asked the Housing Minister to respond to suggestions that Housing Associations should be allowed to use empty homes to generate additional capital.
Speaking in the Assembly this week, Mr Isherwood, who as Shadow Housing Minister welcomed the Welsh Government announcement in November that it will follow the lead set by the UK Government in investing in a scheme to bring empty properties back into use, referred to the Pricewaterhouse Cooper report suggesting housing associations could use empty homes to make additional capital by making them available, among other things, for intermediate rent above social rent levels but below market rent.
Mr Isherwood also referred to the good practice regarding empty homes in Denbighshire County Council, which Welsh Government’s figures identify as being the top provider of affordable housing in Wales.
Speaking in the Chamber, Mr Isherwood said: “Denbighshire has said that the key in terms of empty homes is to understand why the property is empty and to work closely with the owner to bring it back into use, using enforcement powers as a last resort.”
Mr Isherwood added: “A network of empty homes officers is being established in North Wales, but the question referred specifically to bringing empty properties back onto the rental market or for selling. In Denbighshire’s case, the requirement is that the property would go on the social housing rental list for a minimum of five years. Therefore, how do you respond to the suggestion in the PricewaterhouseCoopers report that housing associations should be allowed to use empty properties to generate additional capital by making them available, among other things, for intermediate rent at above social rent levels but below market rent?”
The Housing Minister, Huw Lewis, replied: “We will learn from the scheme as it rolls out, as this is the first time that this kind of initiative has been undertaken on a national level. I am willing to learn lessons about how registered social landlords can become partners alongside private owners and local authorities in getting these properties back into use. If we can do that for social rent or for intermediate rent, that is even better. Openings for that to happen should be explored and exploited.”
ENDS
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