Number of long-term empty homes brought back into use in Scotland approaches 11,000

The number of long-term empty homes brought back into use in Scotland over the last 15 years is approaching 11,000, according to a report.

The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) said it helped owners reinstate 1,875 homes in 2023/24 alone, the highest annual total since the organisation was established in 2010.

It brings the total to 10,889, the report added.

The SEHP is funded by the Scottish Government and supports its commitment to bring more empty homes back into use as affordable housing where possible.

The Scottish Government declared a national housing emergency in May with ministers blaming UK Government budget cuts and austerity.

The SEHP report highlights how a number of councils which have also declared a housing emergency – including the City of Edinburgh, Fife and West Lothian – are increasing their commitment to bringing empty homes back into use by appointing extra officers.

But it also notes that Moray Council is planning to discontinue its dedicated empty homes service this month.

The document includes updates on five kickstarter projects, part-funded by the SEHP, that were established to encourage more organisations to get involved in empty homes work.

Tahmina Nizam, national manager for the SEHP, said: “The impact of the SEHP and empty homes officers across the country was recognised in the independent audit of empty homes work published by the Scottish Government last year.

“It is demonstrated again by the figures in the report we have published today.

“With more local authorities declaring housing emergencies over the past few months and the Scottish Government itself declaring a housing emergency in May, we know that bringing empty homes back into use will play a crucial part in meeting housing demand locally and nationally.

“The best way for local authorities to ensure we make full use of empty homes would be to expand their empty homes services and increase the resources they allocate to empty homes work as a whole.”

Scotland’s Housing Minister Paul McLennan said: “This report demonstrates the benefit that returning long-term empty homes back into use can have on communities in Scotland.

“The Scottish Government has invested over £3.7 million in the SEHP, including funding to embed dedicated empty homes officers within councils.

“Since 2010, this has helped to return almost 11,000 properties to active use, providing much-needed homes for families.

“Bringing empty homes back into use is one of the most cost-effective ways of increasing housing stock and I want to see every local authority working with the partnership.

“I want to make clear that councils can also utilise the ring-fenced revenue they derive from council tax on second and empty homes to fund these essential empty homes services.”