Craven has been chosen as one of three areas in the country to pilot a new community-led project to bring empty homes back into use.
The district council has agreed to work with campaign group Action on Empty Homes to demonstrate to homeowners how their properties can be converted whilst also developing local building skills.
Students will help convert an initial three properties before an aim to roll out the scheme further.
There are currently 320 homes in Craven that have been empty for more than six months – and the properties have been described as an “untapped resource” which can help tackle the district’s serious shortage of affordable homes.
Paul Shevlin, chief executive at Craven District Council, told a meeting on Tuesday: “We want to make sure we have affordable housing going back into the community – that is what we are desperately short of.
“But this is far wider than actually retrofitting empty homes – it is about community awareness and working with community groups.
“We have got the contacts and know the people, and that is why they want to work with us in order to make this a success story.”
Reading and Berkshire are the other areas involved in the scheme after Action on Empty Homes was awarded government funding for a feasibility study.
A further £400,000 will be awarded to the council which is expected to match that amount in order to carry out the work. This will involve the purchase of three empty properties, low-carbon retrofitting measures and renovating them as affordable homes.
Brighid Carey, consultancy and projects manager at Action on Empty Homes, said in a statement: “Many people and agencies are concerned about and impacted by empty homes, lending a broad base for action.
“By working together with diverse stakeholders, the renovation of empty homes can become a vehicle for delivering wider community benefits.
“In addition to providing homes for local people, the renovation process itself can offer opportunities for work experience and on-site training.”
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