More empty homes funding available for Ashfield

The leader of Ashfield District councillors John Knight and Steve Carroll take a look at an empty house in Sutton

The WALHA Housing Association has been granted the money by the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) and is looking to use it to make 30 empty homes habitable.

The money will allow refurbishment of the properties to be carried out and once the work has been done, they will become homes for people on Ashfield District Council’s housing waiting list.

The announcement comes just weeks after Chad revealed that a much-heralded council programme to bring 285 empty homes back into use with £3.5m of HCA funding was being abandoned because of contractual difficulties between the two organisations.

A council spokesman said: “The council is aware that WALHA has been awarded HCA funding from the Empty Homes Round Two Bid.

“The authority supported the original bid submission back in April and met with WALHA in October to discuss the proposed scheme in more detail, following the announcement of the funding allocation.

“The council’s strategic housing team will be assisting WALHA with the identification of suitable empty properties within Ashfield district.”

Trevor Fothergill, the director of WALHA, said that to qualify for a grant of up to £15,000, a property should have been standing empty for more than six months.

He said: “All of the our refurbishment will be carried out by experienced contractors, and the work undertaken could range from a new kitchen, bathroom, central heating system, rewire, windows, doors and more.”

Landlords who want more details can contact WALHA’s Empty Homes Team on 0843 289 0862 or 07903 292913.

Mr Fothergill added: “The empty home programme will provide a much-needed supply of affordable homes in the area to those who are struggling to get onto the property ladder.

“In addition the scheme will provide employment, training and some apprenticeship for local young people who are interested in entering the building trade.”