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Empty Homes Awards 2019 - The Winners (Part 2)

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

In part 2 of our award winners story, we look at the successful submissions for the remaining three awards, presented at the 2019 Empty Homes Conference in Birmingham.

Meeting the Challenge Award - Sponsored by Action on Empty Homes

Winner: City of Bradford Metrolpolitan District Council

Bradford has the highest proportion of empty homes in Yorkshire, with 19 in every 1,000 homes laying empty for at least six months. We also have the highest number of empty homes in Yorkshire (4,090).

Bradford has a large and rapidly growing population. Over the last decade the District’s population growth has been much faster than the national average, growing at a rate of 11.1% compared to 7.1% nationally.

This population change and consequential increased housing demand , together with  the issue of quality (or lack of) within the private rented sector presents considerable housing pressures within the District. 

Empty Homes Awards 2019 - The Winners (Part 1)

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

Having had the time to reflect on this year's successful National Empty Homes Conference, it is time to celebrate the fantastic work being done across the Country, highlighted during our Annual Empty Homes Awards, presented in Birmingham.

In Part 1, we look at the stories and judges comments behind three of our winners.

Best Before and After Photograph Award - Sponsored by Auction House UK

WINNER - Derby City Council

‘The panel felt that this submission was the one which gave the most significant change from before and after. The neighbouring properties were badly affected by the state of the property and now the improvements have added value to their surroundings and improved the street scene."

Conference Showcases Projects and Innovation During Successful Empty Homes Week

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

Held on the 25th September at our usual Venue of Maple House in Birmingham, this year's National Empty Homes Conference proved a huge success, in showcasing successful regeneration and refurbishment projects from across the Country, during National Empty Homes Week.

 

This year's line-up, varied and as informative as ever, were exceptionally well received, and feedback showing that Streets2Homes and the Welsh Streets case studies were the highlights for many delegates. The feedback generally for the Conference was fantastic, and it's hoped that next year's event will be as big, as informative and as well attended as this year, with some minor adjustments to account for the feedback received.

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The Empty Homes Conference 2019: Awards Extended, Delegate Spaces Still Available

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

With just over a week to go until the National Empty Homes Conference 2019, we are edging closer to capacity but there are still a few delegate spaces available, with bookings being taken up until 5pm on Tuesday 24th with the submission of a completed booking form. 

We have also extended the deadline for four of our award categories, so please feel free to get your submission in soon, and don't be put off nominating yourself for one of our awards, as we know that empty homes officers often work alone or in teams of 1! Nominations for these awards are now being accepted up until 23:59 on Friday 20th September.

The extended categories are:

- Empty Homes Practitioner of the Year, Sponsored by No Use Empty: Kent

OTHER STORIES

Repurposing Vacant Sheltered Accommodation for Fire Safety Trials

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

With figures from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government showing that the number of long term vacant properties across England has risen to more than 216,000, we’re looking at the highest levels of homes standing empty (for more than six months) since 2012. Economically, this accounts for around £53.6bn of property in England alone, according to an analysis carried out by modular home and school builder Project Etopia.

Orbis Protect joins forces with E.ON to bring private homes back into use

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

Leading property protection provider Orbis Protect has joined forces with E.ON, one of the UK's top energy suppliers, to support its drive to tackle the UK’s housing shortage by bringing empty homes back into use.

Orbis Protect is partnering with E.ON on the scheme and will provide specialist clearance and cleaning of any empty properties, externally and internally.

https enabled to give users more secure access

Story submitted by DGibbens on

A more secure protocol has been implemented for accessing the EHN website

This is the 'https' or Hyper Text Transfer Protocol Secure, replacing the previous 'http' protocol.

https is now regarded as the standard for websites that involve payments or where users enter passwords. It means all traffic from your browser to the website is encrypted.

See www.howtogeek.com/181767/htg-explains-what-is-https-and-why-should-i-care/ for further information.

2019 Conference Line-up - Updated

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

Planning and preparation is well under way for the National Empty Homes Conference, to be held in Birmingham on Wednesday 25th September, 2019.

As always, a strong and varied speaker line-up includes presentations from:

- Kerrie Eastman; Streets2Homes & Harlow Council

Using Council owned empty properties to help homelessness

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