Suss out an abandoned house in Scotland and you could well get help from the government to make it habitable again. The Empty Home Partnership helps to pay for cost of basic repairs, such as roofing, wiring, plumbing and foundations. The public support comes in the form of a break on property taxes.
The Empty Home Partnership requires local council participation as well as the national government. Since the program began in 2010, 29 of the country’s 32 local councils have signed on to deliver the Empty Home Partnership. Over 10,000 homes have been returned to a liveable state.
The Empty Home Partnership can’t meet all of Scotland’s housing needs, but it is making a significant contribution. Homes in the program cost less and take less time to complete than new construction.
The Empty Home Partnership has been a winner in rural areas, where there are homes that have been vacant for decades.
Housing Associations and local councils also qualify as partners, which extends the benefits of the Empty Homes Partnership to tenants with very low incomes.
Read more program details at the Empty Home Partnership: Every Home Matters
And for some personal experiences, try this story at reasons to be cheerful: Turning the Lights Back on in Scotland’s Empty Homes
