99% Rise In Empty Properties Turned Homes In Wales

There has been a 99% increase in the annual figure for long-term empty properties being transformed into new homes in Wales, according to a new report.

A report released today on the success of Welsh Government's Houses into Homes scheme shows 2,178 empty homes were brought back into use in 2013/14, a 99 per cent increase on 2012/13, the first year of the scheme and a 112 per cent increase on 2011/12, the year before the scheme started.


4,471 empty properties in Wales have been turned into homes so far during this Assembly term.

The Houses into Homes scheme, which has been supported by £20 million of Welsh Government investment in its first two years, provides interest free loans to owners of properties which have been empty for more than 6 months, to bring the properties back into use for sale or rent.

A total of 230 loans were approved over the first two years of the project. The total value of these loans was over £9.44 million, with £7.4 million worth of loans being approved in 2013/14.

(CD/IT)