Empty homes are the focus of a new campaign aiming to reduce the country’s housing shortage.

There are around 550 long-term empty homes within the borough according to Redbridge Council.

Now the National Empty Homes Loan Fund is giving homeowners the opportunity to borrow money to bring up the properties to a liveable standard.

Loans of up to £15,000 are on offer for properties which have remained unoccupied for at least six months.

Owners of empty homes are often unable to access funds to bring the properties back into use, creating a vicious cycle of decline in areas with high numbers of empty properties.

Cllr Michelle Dunn, cabinet member for housing, welcomed the initiative saying: “We don’t want to see homes lying empty when there is such a high housing demand.

“We are happy to be part of this scheme and look forward to working in partnership with the charity Empty Homes and owners of empty properties.”

Empty Homes campaigns to bring empty properties into use for the benefit of those who need housing.

For more information visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/emptyhomes.