Scots Want More Action on Empty Homes Says Survey

A recent survey looked at empty homes in Scotland. Many people think councils could do more. The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) did the study. It found only 10% feel councils do enough.

Over 40% of Scots want more action on empty homes. Renters feel even stronger about this issue; fifty-two percent of renters want more council action. There are about 46,000 vacant homes in Scotland now.

Tahmina Nizam manages the SEHP. She said progress happens, but needs to increase. Empty homes officers work hard across Scotland. Last year, they helped bring 1,875 homes back. The public wants more homes fixed up.

Scotland has over 43,500 homes empty for six-plus months. Seventy-three percent or 31,500 homes sit vacant over a year. Nizam welcomes housing investment in the budget.

The housing emergency poses a big challenge to fix. Empty homes help address the emergency. They are cost-effective and quick to repair. Turning these homes over is environmentally sound. The survey questioned 1,011 adults within Scotland.