§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to increase the utilisation of empty buildings for housing the homeless. [47131]
§ Mr. RaynsfordThe Government are committed to making better use of empty buildings as part of our strategy for planning for household growth in the future and at the same time protecting our environment.
We will continue to encourage local authorities to play a key role in this by developing empty property strategies. About 200 authorities have strategies in place or under development. My Department is currently funding the Empty Homes Agency to work with authorities to bring more empty commercial property back into housing use and to assist rural authorities in drawing up successful strategies.
We have made extra money available to local authorities for renovating and improving stock through the Capital Receipts Initiative. Capital funding is also available through the Housing Investment Programme, the Single Regeneration Budget and the Housing Corporation's Approved Development Programme.