Buy- back project leads to top award
An Ayrshire council has won a prestigious national award for its efforts to bring empty homes back into use.
South Ayrshire Council has taken the Outstanding Project title at the Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champions of the Year Awards.
It follows its initiative to buyback ex- local authority housing in areas of high demand.
Empty Homes officer, Lesley Cockburn, who led the project picked up the certificate at an awards ceremony which took place alongside the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership ( SEHP) annual conference.
She said: “Through jointworking we not only breathe life back into empty properties, we increase affordable housing in the area and provide secure tenancies for households on our waiting list.
“It is very satisfying to achieve recognition for this project and I hope to continue with it into the future.
Shaheena Din, National Manager of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, said:“I’d like to congratulate South Ayrshire Council and Lesley on receiving their award.
“Their acquisitions project has shown how the targeted buy- back of ex- local authority stock can increase the supply of much needed social homes in areas of high demand.”