Action on Empty Homes works with councils, housing associations, developers, and community groups to unlock the potential of empty homes, addressing housing needs while revitalising neighbourhoods. Our services are designed to provide comprehensive support, ensuring that empty properties become valuable, affordable, and sustainable community assets. Take a look below to see how we might support you.

How we can support you

OUR SUPPORT COULD INCLUDE

PROJECT MANAGEMENT

We have experience working with community groups, local authorities, and various other local partners, project managing actively bringing empty homes back into use.

What this might look like:

  • explore and evaluate local empty homes options

  • facilitate connections to relevant partners

  • create a business or project plan for delivery

  • identify relevant funding sources

  • support the creation of funding bids

 

DEVELOPING AN EMPTY HOMES STRATEGY

We have worked alongside local authorities creating bespoke empty homes strategies that actively support other local strategies, maximising the impact of rejuvenating empty homes for local communities across a range of themes, including housing, climate, health and wellbeing and economic resilience.

 What this might look like:

Differing levels of support, from supporting your organisations’ development of an empty homes service through key support elements, or working alongside you to create a full Empty Homes Strategy, depending on your budget for support. 

Level 1 - WORKABLE INSIGHTS

- Bespoke data analysis, local trends, and assessment of key indicators to unpick EH’s local issue

 - identification of priority areas and highlighting potential ‘quick wins’

- Analysis of current local strategies / approaches and potential amendments

- Audit of local partners for support bringing empties back into use

LEVEL 2 - STRATEGIC CASE FOR ACTION

Level 1 PLUS:

- creation of business case

- value for money assessment

- role of partners / LA in bringing empties back into use

- investment v expenditure

- ALIGNMENT OF LOCAL CORPORATE STRATEGIES

  Including feedback from stakeholders, review

  Development of draft strategy

 

- DEVELOPMENT OF EH STRATEGY AND SIGN OFF

  Including reviews and feed-in roundtables where appropriate

  Including action plan

  Including monitoring and reporting arrangement

LEVEL 3 FULL EMPTY HOMES STRATEGY, incorporating:

- INSIGHTS (as above)

- STRATEGIC CASE FOR ACTION (as above)

 PLUS

- DEVELOPMENT OF INNOVATIVE SOLUTIONS:

  incentives to bring empties back into use

  Community-led solutions

  Strategic Enforcement Options and local analysis of us

 Options for investment

CREATION OF FUNDING / FINANCIAL STRATEGY

We can help you navigate complex funding landscapes, identifying grants, subsidies, and financing options specific to empty home projects. We also connect you with potential partners, from local councils to investors, to provide additional financial and operational support.

SUPPORT FOR POLICY NAVIGATION & COMPLIANCE

We provide guidance on navigating local and national policies affecting property reuse, affordable housing standards, and sustainable development. With our insight, you’ll save time and resources.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Ensuring community buy-in is crucial for successful property reuse. We facilitate engagement programs that involve residents in decision-making, helping turn projects into joint community endeavors. This boosts long-term success by creating spaces that truly meet local needs.

SUSTAINABLE HOUSING SOLUTIONS

Our expertise in sustainable redevelopment means that every empty home brought back into use contributes to broader environmental goals. By advising on eco-friendly retrofitting and affordable housing practices, we help ensure each project is both economically and environmentally responsible.