Liverpool City Council has launched a multi-million pound scheme aimed at bringing long-term empty properties back into use. The initiative offers grants to help owners renovate homes and return them to the rental market for people on the city's housing waiting list.
Liverpool City Council is introducing a 7.3 million pound grant scheme aimed at revitalizing hundreds of long-term empty properties across the city. By offering financial support to property owners, the initiative seeks to address immediate housing needs and improve neighborhood conditions impacted by blight. Owners of eligible properties, which must have remained empty for at least 12 months, can receive grants ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 pounds. To qualify, owners are required to bring these buildings up to a legally compliant standard, addressing critical safety concerns such as unsafe wiring, gas faults, and the removal of excess cold.
Following these renovations, the properties will be brought back into use as affordable rental accommodation. As part of the arrangement, the council will secure nomination rights, ensuring that these homes are offered to residents currently on the city's housing waiting list. This project is a key component of a broader municipal strategy to combat homelessness, enhance housing quality, and return vacant buildings to productive use.
In addition to meeting renovation standards, applicants must adhere to strict eligibility criteria, including having no outstanding council tax arrears and demonstrating the property has been vacant for at least a year. The scheme is expected to run for up to three years or until the designated funding has been fully allocated.
