As we celebrate the positive outcomes in this years’ Empty Homes Week 2023, the team at No Use Empty report that the number of long term empty properties in Kent has reduced by 7%.
The following table shows the reduction (change) in the number of long term empty properties in Kent by district as recorded for 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Source data Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities and Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (March 2023).
National Empty Homes Week, which comes to an end (March 5th) was marked earlier this week in Kent by the news that KCC’s No Use Empty initiative has beaten its record for the number of projects carried out in the current financial year for the second year running, with total investment fast approaching £100m.
Delivered by Kent County Council, in partnership with all 12 district councils . NUE provides a model which can be replicated offering financial assistance alongside advice and guidance. The Kent approach has also been adopted by Medway Council and Southend on Sea City Council who both access the services of the NUE team to provide back-office support for their respective loan schemes.
Steve Grimshaw, KCC Strategic Programme Manager, said: “Fantastic news that NUE is making a positive contribution in reducing the numbers in Kent for the second year running. I am also pleased to see that Medway have also seen a reduction of 148 long term empty properties”.