Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council secures loan deal for owners to help bring unused properties back into use.
Owners of properties in Tonbridge and Malling that are currently lying empty and unused for longer than six months will now be able to apply for interest-free loans in order to renovate them and bring them back into use.
Tonbridge and Malling already participates in the No Use Empty scheme, which was launched in 2005 by Kent County Council in a bid to tackle the escalating housing shortage across the county.
Under the scheme, district and borough councils, in partnership with Kent County Council, provide owners of run-down, unused properties with the necessary information and advice to return them to use.
Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council is now going a step further by joining the Loan Fund element of the scheme, which is operated by Kent County Council and offers owners interest-free loans to cover the cost of repairs and renovations.
The decision means that owners in Tonbridge and Malling will now be able to apply for loans of up to £25,000.
Steve Grimshaw, Regeneration Project Manager at Kent County Council said:
“It is great news that Tonbridge and Malling will now be participating in the Loan Scheme. We need to put empty homes to use to make sure we can meet the increasing demand for quality, affordable housing across the County. Derelict houses also have an impact on the price of nearby occupied properties and serve as a magnet for crime and anti-social behaviour, so returning them to use has a positive impact on the community as a whole. We welcome loan applications from owners of empty properties across Tonbridge and Malling who want to take positive action.”
Cllr Jean Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Housing at Tonbridge and Malling Borough Council said:
“We fully support the initiative led by Kent County Council and are committed to reducing the number of empty properties across Tonbridge and Malling. Joining the Loan Fund gives us another important tool as we seek to work with owners to transform these properties into much needed homes.”