Shame of our empty houses (From Chelmsford Weekly News)

Shame of our empty houses

8:00am Monday 8th February 2010

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AS Chelmsford Council unveils its new private sector housing strategy for the next five years, the number of empty properties in the local authority area has been highlighted.

West Chelmsford MP Simon Burns was told in a parliamentary written answer, that in 2009 there were 1,674 empty properties there.

He said: “Although the total number of properties is a relatively small percentage of the total number of dwellings, I am slightly surprised by these figures.

“Obviously a number of the properties involved will only be empty in the short term, while they are renovated or repaired, but given the pressure on the need for housing in the borough, I am concerned there are a number of houses that have been empty over the long term.

“I will write to the borough council to seek advice as to why there should be so many properties left empty for long periods of time.”

The Liberal Democrats in Chelmsford have set out plans in their manifesto to bring empty houses back into use.

Stephen Robinson, Liberal Democrats parliamentary candidate for Chelmsford, commented: “Allowing houses to sit empty while families are waiting for a home is nothing short of a scandal.

“The cost of bringing these homes back into use is just a fraction of the cost of building new houses, yet the authorities are sitting idly by while these houses fall into disrepair.

“The Conservative-run council in Chelmsford has decided to build thousands of new homes using up precious open spaces in our locality. We should use up the empty houses first.”

The council has just approved its private housing strategy up to 2015, highlighting the importance of providing advice and assistance to vulnerable householders.

Key areas of work identified by the council’s housing team includes improving delivery of the Disability Facility Grant, helping residents make suitable energy efficiency improvements and increasing standards for rented property in the private sector.

Councillor responsible for housing, Duncan Lumley, said: “The council’s principle objectives through the introduction of this strategy are to protect the health, safety and welfare of residents, provide assistance to elderly residents and those on a low income, and improve housing service delivery through the private sector.”

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