Burry Port eyesore house is transformed for social housing
An empty house in Burry Port has become the first in Carmarthenshire to be renovated and offered as social housing.
The property was derelict and dilapidated for some time, however under the Welsh Government’s new Houses into Homes empty property initiative, it is now undergoing a major investment.
Upon completion, it will be offered as an affordable rented home with the county council’s in-house social lettings team managing it on behalf of the private owner.
The scheme involves offering interest free loans to owners of properties which have been empty for six months or longer, with the intention of bringing them back into use.
Carmarthenshire’s housing executive board member Cllr Tegwen Devichand said: “We have a lot of empty properties in the county which are a wasted resource, considering the high housing demand.
“The Welsh Government launched the Houses into Homes scheme last year, and has now invested £20 million throughout Wales.
“Carmarthenshire has approved its first loan and the property is now in the process of being renovated.
“It will be offered as social housing at an affordable rent once it has been completed, which is a desperately needed resource.
“Carmarthenshire County Council takes the issue of empty properties seriously, and has dedicated resources to tackle empty properties within the county.
“Through using this new fund we are now able to tackle long term empty properties, subsequently increasing the provision of good quality housing within Carmarthenshire.”
Latest figures suggest there are approximately 2,000 empty properties in Carmarthenshire.
Some of these could provide homes to people who need them, the county council’s Home Improvement Team is working with private owners to help bring them back into use.
Empty properties can blight neighbourhood surroundings, attract anti-social behaviour and cause public health issues.
These properties are considered a wasted resource, particularly in a time of such high housing need.
The investment in Burry Port has been welcomed by local county councillors Pat Jones and John James.
Cllr Jones said: “We are delighted with this investment into a property which has been an eyesore for a long time.
“It is not fair on neighbouring properties for all sorts of reasons, this work is making such a positive difference in the community and is very much welcomed.”
The property was derelict and dilapidated for some time, however under the Welsh Government’s new Houses into Homes empty property initiative, it is now undergoing a major investment.
Upon completion, it will be offered as an affordable rented home with the county council’s in-house social lettings team managing it on behalf of the private owner.
The scheme involves offering interest free loans to owners of properties which have been empty for six months or longer, with the intention of bringing them back into use.
Carmarthenshire’s housing executive board member Cllr Tegwen Devichand said: “We have a lot of empty properties in the county which are a wasted resource, considering the high housing demand.
“The Welsh Government launched the Houses into Homes scheme last year, and has now invested £20 million throughout Wales.
“Carmarthenshire has approved its first loan and the property is now in the process of being renovated.
“It will be offered as social housing at an affordable rent once it has been completed, which is a desperately needed resource.
“Carmarthenshire County Council takes the issue of empty properties seriously, and has dedicated resources to tackle empty properties within the county.
“Through using this new fund we are now able to tackle long term empty properties, subsequently increasing the provision of good quality housing within Carmarthenshire.”
Latest figures suggest there are approximately 2,000 empty properties in Carmarthenshire.
Some of these could provide homes to people who need them, the county council’s Home Improvement Team is working with private owners to help bring them back into use.
Empty properties can blight neighbourhood surroundings, attract anti-social behaviour and cause public health issues.
These properties are considered a wasted resource, particularly in a time of such high housing need.
The investment in Burry Port has been welcomed by local county councillors Pat Jones and John James.
Cllr Jones said: “We are delighted with this investment into a property which has been an eyesore for a long time.
“It is not fair on neighbouring properties for all sorts of reasons, this work is making such a positive difference in the community and is very much welcomed.”
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