National recognition for empty home renovation

Bringing an empty home back to life has scooped a prestigious national innovation award for Dorset Council.  

By funding the renovation, The Housing Standards Team were recognised for helping to restore the property to its former glory at this year’s Empty Homes Network conference.  

Neglected for twenty years, the Grade II listed building on West Street in Blandford Forum has been transformed into a home for local residents.  

With the cost of refurbishment higher than expected due to the age or the property  Dorset Council were able to work with project partners to get the scheme ‘over the line’ by providing an innovative blend of grants and loans. 

In exchange for the additional funding, the owners, a charitable trust, leased the building to the council with nomination rights for the next ten years. 

 A spokesperson for the Empty Homes Network said;  

“Dorset Council and Lendology have developed a seamless relationship that complements each other’s strengths, to provide support and financial assistance through a challenging set of circumstances. 

Resulting in not only a property being brought back into use, the leasing of the property to the local authority has ensured that the property will be occupied and managed to suit local need, reduce the reliance on B&B and temporary accommodation, and remove a blight from a busy marketplace.” 

Graham Carr Jones, Lead Member for Housing said, “The main beneficiaries are of course the people that can now call the property home where they can be settled and thrive.  

We overcame a range of obstacles to make this happen in partnership with Lendology and our shared vision of bringing this property back to life no matter what was key to a successful outcome.” 

Emma Lower, CEO of Lendology, said, “Empty homes are a valuable resource being put to waste at a time when housing is so important. We understand the challenges people face in financing and renovating empty homes, and a lot of homeowners are unaware of the lending scheme funded by Dorset Council.  Our unique approach to lending allows us to solve a range of finance issues in local communities and we love turning empty houses into loved homes.”