Partnership launched to tackle empty homes

Tighean Innse Gall (TIG) and the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) have launched a joint project to tackle the issue of empty homes, working closely with the Comhairle to purchase and refurbish empty homes for social rent, mid-market rent, and rent-to-buy.
A minimum of twelve homes will be brought back into use over the course of the two-year project, making them more attractive to people who wish to remain on the island and also attracting new families to re-locate to the islands.
Donna Smith, Chief Executive Officer, TIG, said: “We are truly excited about the difference this partnership could make in terms of tackling the problem of empty homes in the Outer Hebrides. Our project will build on the fantastic empty homes work undertaken by the Council in the last few years and we will work with the local Empty Homes Officer to ensure the partnership is a success.”
The Western Isles has one of the highest rates of vacant dwellings anywhere is Scotland at 8.1%, against a national average of 3.4%, The islands also have the second highest percentage of long term empty properties, the second highest percentage of second homes and the highest proportion of unoccupied council tax exemptions. Scottish Government estimates there are 596 properties that have been empty for six months or more, 462 of which have been empty for more than a year.