Communities Minister Andrew Stunell outlined proposals for bringing back into use empty homes.
The Minister urged local communities to work with their council to identify where empty homes are blighting the neighbourhood, and start benefiting from extra cash that can be used to improve the local area.
There are around 300,000 long term empty properties across England. They easily fall into disrepair, attracting squatters, vandalism and antisocial behaviour.
Under plans recently consulted on, the Government will match through the New Homes Bonus any council tax raised from a property that previously stood empty.
The extra funding can be spent to benefit the local community - whether on Council Tax discounts, boosting local services, renovating more empty properties, or improving local facilities.
The funding is part of a two pronged attack to get to grips with the issue of empty homes, and will supplement the £100 million already announced as part of the Spending Review for Housing Associations to bring empty properties back into use.