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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.

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

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. 

Empty Homes Awards 2019 - Open for submissions

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

We are pleased to announce that the Empty Homes Awards 2019 are now open for submissions.

There are Six Award categories this year that cover a wide range of empty homes activities. 

The Awards will be presented to the winners at the Empty Homes Conference in Birmingham on 25th September. We look forward to revealing their identifies then!

The Six Award categories and this year's Award sponsors are as follows:

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

Projects and Empty Homes Officers sought for the BBC's Empty Housing Scandal, Series 2

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

Production company TwoFour are seeking Empty Homes Projects and Officers for a second series of their successful BBC1 Series, The Empty Housing Scandal.

After producing a very popular 5 episode series highlighting both the scale of the problem, as well as the incredible work done by officers up and down the Country, TwoFour have been commissioned to produce a second series, this time running for 10 episodes.

Steve Grogan, of TwoFour:

BBC - The Empty Housing Scandal

Conference Date Announced!

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

The date for this year's National Empty Homes Conference has been announced, and will be held on Wednesday 25th September, 2019.

Held to coincide with Action on Empty Homes' Empty Homes Week, the Conference will again be held at etcVenues in Birmingham.

For more information on Speakers, Sponsorship Opportunities and to book your place, visit our dedicated webpage here.

Action on Empty Homes launches 'Community Action on Empty Homes' report

Story submitted by EHNAdmin on

Action on Empty Homes (formerly The Empty Homes Agency), has launched its report entitled 'Community Action on Empty Homes', outlining its findings of a three-year study of 6 community led projects. 

Whilst outlining the fantastic work done by these community groups, the report also issues a call to action on Local Authorities, Central Government, Funding Partners and Housing Associations to do more with the tools and resources available, to return more empty homes to use across the Country.

‘Meeting the Challenge’ Award 2018 - winner

Story submitted by DGibbens on

We are very grateful indeed to Carson Millican, trading as Empty Property Solutions, for his continuing support of the Empty Homes Awards. This year, he sponsored the newly configured ‘Meeting the Challenge’ Award, which aims to emphasise the case-work aspect of what practitioners do by recognising a particularly challenging case.

Last chance for Expressions of Interest for delivery of EHN support role

Story submitted by DGibbens on

We have received an informal Expression of Interest from an individual about taking on the entire support role for EHN (as undertaken by David Gibbens over the last few years). We believe this is likely to produce a deliverable offer.

If anyone else is interested, in the first instance you should register an informal Expression of Interest by 28th December by contacting David Gibbens – message 07528 312932 with your contact details or email him at secretary@ehnetwork.org.uk.

Empty Homes Innovation Award 2018

Story submitted by DGibbens on

Sponsorship of this year’s Innovation Award was provided by E.ON Empty Home Solutions, along with the sponsorship of the Awards Ceremony. Perhaps it’s a shame that this barred them from nominating themselves for the Award because, as innovation goes, a giant energy company involving itself in the gritty work of bringing empty homes back into use is certainly up there with the most original initiatives we’ve seen.

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