Member Article

Successful empty homes scheme receives more funding

Coast & Country’s successful Empty Homes scheme is to be expanded with the regeneration and housing company securing Government cash to develop it further.

The Homes & Communities Agency (HCA) has announced that Coast & Country has been successful in a bid for funding to continue its Empty Homes Programme.

Coast & Country has been awarded £1.85m by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) towards the purchase and repair of 100 empty properties during the next 18 months.

Iain Sim, Chief Executive of Coast & Country, which is one of the largest regeneration and housing companies in the North East, said: “This is fantastic news as it means not only are we able to expand our affordable housing stock in our Redcar & Cleveland heartland, but also in Stockton, Darlington and Newcastle.

“The HCA allocation is testament to our past success as it reflects the Agency’s confidence in our ability to meet the challenging targets and continue to deliver a successful Empty Homes strategy.”

A Business Lettings Team at Coast & Country, along with support from its Property and Assets division, will identify and purchase suitable properties and oversee the refurbishment work.

The new funding also will ensure that training continues to be provided to those seeking practical hands-on construction experience.

This will involve Coast & Country working with Job Centre Plus, Avanta and other employment & training providers that support and train unemployed people back into work.. The funding will also enable Coast & Country to continue to work in partnership with Community Campus 87 and East Cleveland Youth Housing Trust, two social enterprises with a track record in bringing Empty Homes back into use

Iain Sim added: “This money will help deliver three positive outcomes in one solution – providing high quality affordable homes to rent, bringing rundown empty properties, that can be blight on a community, back into use and giving local trainees the chance to learn industry standard skills to help them improve their employment potential.

“Partnership working has been central to the success of our Empty Homes project and this framework will continue.”

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