The latest figures reveal that 1710 have been renovated and made habitable again under the local authority's Empty Homes Strategy. The project, which was launched in 2019, aimed to tackle the city's housing problems by re-occupying properties which had been empty for a period of time.
Reasons for the vacancy include mortgage default and repossessions, deceased or untraceable owners, property title issues and disrepair. There are currently 2641 long term-empty homes in Glasgow and the council has targets to bring 200-250 of these back into service annually. READ MORE: Airdrie murderer confessed 'I killed my soulmate' after partner's body found in bath
The council says the plan provides a greater economic advantage than building new homes as the cost of acquiring and refurbishing an empty property is substantially lower. They now employ three Empty Homes Officers who have set up a comprehensive database of vacant homes. The council’s website has also been updated to provide contact information for owners seeking advice on empty homes and to make the reporting of empty homes easier, and more information on this is available at: https://www.glasgow.gov.uk/emptyhomes.
Councillor Kenny McLean, Convener for Housing at Glasgow City Council, said: “Glasgow’s Empty Homes Strategy has been an outstanding success, bringing over 1700 homes back to life for people and families, and playing an important role in increasing the housing supply in the city. There is enormous demand for homes in Glasgow, and programmes such as this help increase the housing supply to meet some of that need.