§ 72. Mr. Amessasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what measures he plans to take to require local authorities to sell the empty houses currently in their possession.
§ Mr. Heddleasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what action he proposes to seek to reduce the number of local authority dwellings remaining empty for long periods; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. GowThe public sector should take all possible steps to reduce the numbers of empty dwellings.
My Department is today issuing a circular to all local authorities in England with detailed guidance on measures to reduce the number of their empty dwellings by:
- 1. Better management of their reletting procedures;
- 2. Better management of their improvement programmes;
- 3. Greater use of short-life schemes and temporary lettings;
- 4. Sales to the private sector.
My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment had decided to promote the short-life use of empty local authority property by extending the eligibility for Housing Association grant ("Mini-Hag") to dwellings which are not scheduled for demolition. This should be of particular benefit to homeless families.
The Government encourage local authorities to sell vacant dwellings either directly into owner-ocupation, granting discounts to priority purchasers, or to developers for improvement and subsequent sale into owner-occupation.