A charity that brings empty homes back into use may have to abandon expansion plans after failing to secure Housing Corporation funding.
Canopy, a community-based, small charity, needs £200,000 to bring 10 homes back into use in the Beeston Hill area of Leeds.

But a bid to the Housing Corporation, submitted on its behalf by housing association Leeds Federated, has failed.

Canopy heard the corporation’s decision in the first week of May.

Coordinator Mark Steven said: “The decision has pulled the rug out from under our feet. It’s a shame. The area is full of derelict houses and we had a plan to involve local people in bringing them back into use.”

Canopy was to have worked with one of Leeds’ arm’s-length management organisations, Leeds South Homes. The ALMO is willing to lease homes to the charity but has to wait until summer to see if it will have funds for refurbishment.

The charity’s troubles come after the government signalled its determination to bring long-term empty properties back into use last month. It tabled an amendment to the Housing Bill, enabling councils to reclaim empty homes unoccupied for up to six months (HT 21 May, page 8).

Jonathan Ellis, chief executive of the Empty Homes Agency, said: “It’s disappointing but we are working hard to assist Canopy.”

Source

Housing Today