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Introducing Our Final Virtual Conference Sponsor: Habitat for Humanity Great Britain

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Habitat for Humanity GB are delighted to be attending the Virtual Empty Homes Conference this year, as both a sponsor and exhibitor. We have benefitted over many years from being a member of the Empty Homes Network, and our work as a housing charity in bringing empty property into use as affordable homes has been enhanced through the peer learning, networking and opportunities to collaborate that this has afforded.

Capacity Grid: Partnering With You to Gain the Maximum New Homes Bonus Funding

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As you know, around 710,000 UK properties are currently lying empty. The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is addressing the empty property challenge and supporting local authorities in bringing more homes back into use through the New Homes Bonus scheme (NHB). With the ability for local authorities to earn additional NHB income by returning empty properties to use under review from 2022, now is the time to maximise the returns available whilst you still can.

EHN Virtual Conference 2021: Full Speaker Line-up Announced!

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The Empty Homes Network are pleased and excited to announce the full list of confirmed speakers, for our first Virtual Conference to be held on Thursday 27th May, 2021.

With an informative and interesting range of speakers and topics as always, planning and preparation for the day continues to gather pace, and is shaping up to be the highlight of the Empty Homes Calendar.

BBC’s Matt Allwright Confirmed as Conference 2021 Guest Speaker

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The Empty Homes Network is delighted to announce that TV presenter, journalist and writer Matt Allwright will be the guest speaker at this year’s Virtual National Empty Homes Conference, on Thursday 27th May, 2021.

Best known for his presenting roles on Watchdog and Rogue Traders, Matt’s more recent work has taken him into the world of local government enforcement, through programmes such as Housing Enforcers and The Empty Housing Scandal.

Empty Homes Figures Show Rise for Fourth Consecutive Year

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Data released last week by the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government show a fourth consecutive annual rise in long-term empty homes across the Country, resulting in the biggest rise in figures since records began.

9 out of 10 Councils have reported rises in their empty home figures, with one Authority showing as much as a 340% rise in figures submitted in the previous year.

Director of Action on Empty Homes, Will McMahon, said:

Case Study - UK Property Rescue show how it's done, with 2-week full renovation of property during Covid-19 pandemic

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UK Property Rescue, one of our sponsors and supporters of last year's National Empty Homes Conference, have shown how the construction industry have adapted in recent months, by completing a refurbishment turnaround of two weeks on a property on behalf of Tamworth Borough Council.

(Video & PDF case study incl. below)

Action On Empty Homes release 'Pretty Vacant' report.

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'Pretty Vacant', a report highlighting how property investment in London is reducing access to much needed housing for locals, has been releasedm by the campaigning charity Action on Empty Homes.

Working in conjunction with the Trust for London, the report highlights:

- The inaccuracies in data from which London's Housing Policy is based on

- The variation in numbers of recorded empty and second homes between neighbouring Boroughs

Repurposing Vacant Sheltered Accommodation for Fire Safety Trials

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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.

Empty Homes Awards 2019 - The Winners (Part 1)

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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

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