The No Use Empty team at Kent are proud to announce that they received the “Special Recognition Award” and were “Highly Commended” in two categories at the national Empty Homes Network Awards 2025 announced at the Annual Conference 2025 held in Birmingham on 21st May 2025.
Best Use of Media Award: No Use Empty: Kent – Highly Commended
Best Before & After Photo Award: No Use Empty: Kent – Highly Commended
The Empty Homes Network commented “For two decades, No Use Empty: Kent has stood as a beacon of innovation, persistence, and national leadership in empty homes work. What began as a pilot scheme in 2005 has grown into the UK’s longest-running and most successful initiative of its kind, bringing nearly 9,000 properties back into use, unlocking over £160 million in public and private investment, and inspiring both national policy interest and replication. With a small but dedicated team, they have shown how creativity, sound financial models, and deep local partnerships can transform empty properties into vibrant community assets. Their work now extends beyond homes to include high streets and business spaces, generating impact far beyond bricks and mortar. As they celebrate their 20th anniversary, The Empty Homes Network would like to recognise No Use Empty not only for what they’ve achieved, but for being a best practice example for others to learn from, take inspiration, and follow. A truly worth recipient of this Special Recognition Award for 2025”.
The Empty Homes Network Awards are an opportunity for the Network to recognise and celebrate the work that empty homes officers, teams and practitioners do on a daily basis, and enable them to promote their successes through national recognition. This year is no exception, with councils, officers and organisations going increasingly further to showcase incredible examples of innovation, partnership working or individual persistence to make lasting change, and significant differences. These awards present the opportunity to share with others the great work being done across the country, and give recognition to the outstanding achievements of teams, organisations and individuals.
NUE would like to congratulate all the winners announced and give thanks to the Empty Homes Network for once again bringing together so many professionals from across the UK and beyond to learn, discuss and share with us their knowledge and experiences in the field of empty homes.
Special thanks to Thomas Aspinall of Folkestone & Hythe District Council who produced the Before and After video and to Jo Godden of Kent County Council whose news report was considered in the Best use of Media category.