Housing Co-Op Planning To Tackle Empty Homes

A housing co-operative is looking to remedy the problem of empty houses in its area by transforming unused buildings into affordable housing. Phoenix Housing Co-operative has almost completed the renovation of a disused property to provide studio flats for some of its members. Under the co-op’s Housing Plus project the property, which was left empty for over five years, has been converted into nine studio flats for single people on low-incomes. Phoenix is now looking to speak to owners of private property who would be willing to offer a 10-year lease in return for the co-op renovating the building and providing much needed affordable accommodation. Phoenix are currently planning to put in a bid for the Community Grants programme within the HCA’s Empty Property Fund. Read more about the Housing Plus project on the Phoenix website.