A new initiative has been launched to purchase long term empty homes and refurbish them for people to live in.
At least twelve houses will be brought back into use over the course of the two-
Most will be rented to tenants though one or two may be sold with the proceeds reinvested to purchase another empty house for renovation.
A legal clause applied to each property will ban their use as tourist accommodation or being sold on at a profit.
Tighean Innse Gall (TIG) and the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) have joined forces for the project, working closely with Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
Driving the initiative is an aim to revitalise rural communities making the Western Isles more attractive to families who wish to remain on the island and helping to attracting new people.
Shaheena Din, national project manager for SEHP, said the scheme is an “excellent example” of how innovative partnerships -
At the outset of the project, TIG will undertake a feasibility study of 20 empty homes to ascertain ownership, identify risks and constraints, and to draw up costings and plans, from which the most viable properties will be considered.
TIG will also work with the local community to ensure that any house refurbished would be affordable and attract interested tenants or buyers.
Donna Smith, chief executive officer of TIG, said: “We are truly excited about the difference this partnership could make in terms of tackling the problem of empty homes in the Outer Hebrides.
“Empty homes can often come with quite complex and sensitive situations, so the feasibility study will ensure that we invest in empty homes where success will be most likely achieved.
“Our project will build on the fantastic empty homes work undertaken by the comhairle in the last few years and we will work with the local empty homes officer to ensure the partnership is a success.”
According to Scottish Government figures published in December 2021, 596 properties in Na h-
Typical reasons for homes becoming empty for several years include the death of an owner, inherited properties where the new owners are unsure of what to do, property owners not being able to afford restorations to make the home habitable, and owners in care which leads to the property deteriorating.
Donald Crichton, chair of the comhairle’s sustainable development committee, said: “Bringing an empty home back into use not only restores an unused property and provides a home but benefits a whole community.
“Since 2018, the comhairle has helped to bring 185 homes back into use through advice and support given to owners.
“Bringing these empty homes back into use allows our rural communities to grow and thrive, potentially bringing more children into village schools, which helps them to remain open and allows more money to be spent in the local economy.”
New project to restore empty homes in the Western Isles
28 July 2022
Before and after pictures of a formerly empty home restored as a pilot project and now occupied by a young professional.