A new website and national initiative shows how, with the right knowledge, people working together can legally borrow empty properties from their owners and return them to use.
It is estimated that there are 943,000 empty properties in the UK, with the number rising monthly as the credit crunch continues. People need housing and community organisations are desperate for affordable premises.
The new website, www.self-help-housing.org, shows how to get organised, how to get hold of and borrow empty properties from their owners, where to go for funding, how to organise any necessary repairs and how to turn renovating properties into a training opportunity.
It includes case studies and contact details of people who are already involved in self help housing and all of the legal documents and guidance a community group might need.
Jon Fitzmaurice, director of self-help-housing.org, said:
"Self help housing is a win-win activity. It's exactly the right time to push it back up the agenda. In recent years it has been in decline. Fewer and fewer people are aware of the possibility of negotiating with owners to take over their empty properties and bring them back into use.
"This new website shows what can be achieved and gives people who are unable to access mainstream housing the tools to take on and make use of the increasing number of properties left empty by the impact of the credit crunch. It is revolutionary in that it's the first time that this range of information has been brought together in one place, where anyone can access it"
The project is busy creating a network of existing self-help initiatives and wants to influence thinking of funders and property owners.
David Ireland, CEO of the Empty Homes Agency, said:
"Everybody knows that there is a rising tide of properties left empty that could be used to house those in need.
"Instead of condemning the public and private sector owners of unused homes, this excellent initiative helps groups of local people create new homes for themselves and their community from waste d property. Nothing could be more right for the times we live in."
Heather Petch, project partner and CEO of The Housing Associations' Charitable Trust (hact), said:
"The Government have repeatedly talked about 'empowering people' and here's an ideal way in which people can take control.
"We're particularly concerned about the plight of people at the margins, such as young people, people leaving institutions and refugees, and self-help housing is a great way to engage them and to provide access to accommodation.
"It's great value for money and we need to encourage trusts and foundations to play their part in supporting these initiatives."
Stoke on Trent City Council
Six estates are to be transformed as part of a £177 million scheme to help meet a chronic shortage of council housing.
The private finance centre will involve building 729 new homes, with just under 500 of these earmarked for affordable rented accommodation. The rest will be for outright sale or shared ownership.
There are currently around 9,000 people on Stoke-on-Trent City Council's housing waiting list and certain types of properties, such as those with four bedrooms, are very rare.
Some other existing homes are bedsits or in a poor state of repair so are lying empty or have a high turnover of tenants. Now hundreds of these unfit homes could be demolished t o make way for a mix of two, three and four-bedroom houses. The PFI scheme will also provide new specialist housing for older people and those with disabilities or special needs.
Residents will play a key role in deciding exactly where these homes are built, how they are designed and how other community facilities are improved. Ideas include new multi-use centres where residents will be able to meet socially, get support in finding employment or training and access other services. There could also be more children's play facilities, better street lighting and CCTV.
Telford and Wrekin Council
An innovative Housing & Regeneration partnership is looking to fast-track the building of around 200 extra new affordable homes in the borough.
The Partnership between the Council and the Homes and Communities Agency (HCA) is the first of its kind in the West Midlands. It aims to see a package of smaller sites brought forward for housing development, subject to detailed planning approval.
The Council and the HCA are investing assets into the venture, and the Partnership would seek a partner, likely to be a registered social landlord, to build the new homes.
The Council's Cabinet is being asked to support the scheme, which would allow it to contribute these smaller sites to the Partnership to help accelerate the building of affordable homes in the Borough, which has slowed in the economic downturn.
If the scheme is backed by the Cabinet, officers will look at the feasibility of a number of sites it owns and consult with local people before deciding on proposed sites to include in the scheme.
If approved, the Partnership would tender for a development partner and work could start on the first site early next year. Any partner would also be asked to use local labour and material wherever possible, to provide further support for the local economy.
The Council believes that releasing these small sites would see at least an extra 200 high quality, affordable homes built in the Borough.
Walsall Housing Group
Plans to build 96 properties on empty land in Coalpool went out for public consultation.
The homes will be developed by Walsall Housing Group and its development partner Lovell. They will be a mixture of two bedroom bungalows and two, three, four and five bedroom houses. Some will be available for rent and others will be for sale.
A full planning application will be submitted to Walsall Council during summer and work on site could begin in early 2010, subject to planning approval and funding being secured.
