Empty Ealing Homes scheme approved

DIY fanatics or those willing to carry out refurbishment works will be offered an equity share, lease or tenancy for their involvement.

Philippa Jackson, area manager for West London YMCA, said: "This is an excellent idea and anything which provides young people with move on accommodation is welcome.

"The housing and job market are very difficult and this will give people motivation to get out there and learn a skill especially when you think of how many homeless people there are."

A total of £1million from the Mayor's budget will be awarded to Ealing to help reduce the number of empty homes in the borough, which are thought to attract anti-social behaviour and the scheme will also help increase the supply of affordable housing.

Caroline Davey, deputy director of policy and campaigns at Shelter, a homeless charity, said: "Any steps by local authorities to bring empty homes back into use are welcome, particularly if these are used to provide homes for families in housing need.

"However, even if all the empty homes in London were brought back into use, there would still be tens of thousands of households on housing waiting lists.

"Significant numbers of new affordable, family sized homes are urgently needed to ensure that all Londoners can access a home of their own."

In the next year, an audit and assessment of empty properties will be carried out and a skills training scheme will be rolled out by April 2012 aimed at young people.

Councillor Will Brooks, cabinet member for housing, said: "We are trying to tackle two problems at once, empty properties which are a blight in the area to get them back into use but with the current economic recession, give people educational training and apprenticeships.

"This is a project which local colleges and landlords are offered incentives to give young people an opportunity to learn a trade and give them a share in the tenancy."