Scotland's largest local authority has agreed to buy four empty homes one of which has been vacant for more than 15 years.
Glasgow City Council approved the beginning of compulsory purchase orders for three flats and a mid-terrace house in three different areas in the city which have been long-term empty homes, which would then be transferred to housing associations for use as affordable housing.
The homes - at 73 Rylees Crescent, Penilee, vacant since 2006, Flat 2/2, 4 Melville Street, Pollokshields, Flat 0/2, 35 Westmoreland Street, Govanhill and Flat 0/4, 94 Allison Street, Govanhill - would go on the completion of these orders to housing associations.
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Wheatley Group would take on Rylees Crescent, Southside Housing Association would be responsible for Melville Street and Allison Street, and Govanhill Housing Association for Westmoreland Street.
According to the council, the CPOs would lead to an increase in affordable housing supply, remove neighbourhood blight, and will ensure the future maintenance of these properties. Restoring such homes to productive use is a key part of Glasgow City Council’s Empty Homes Strategy.
Funding for the four acquisitions will be made available to the housing associations through the Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) budget, and the owners of the properties identified for CPO will continue to be given the opportunity to sell the property to the housing association on a voluntary basis prior to confirmation of the compulsory purchase order.
The owners will be entitled to seek compensation for the loss of their property from the date of confirmation, in accordance with statutory provisions.
Councillor Kenny McLean, Convener for Housing at Glasgow City Council, said: “The transfer of these empty homes would allow them to be brought back to productive use, add to the availability of much-needed affordable housing in the city, improve the quality of the properties, prevent anti-social behaviour and stop the blight of their local communities that they have created.”
The home at 73 Rylees Crescent, Penilee, has been empty since September 2006, council officials have reported. “The property is creating a blight on the area and is attracting anti-social behaviour,” they said, adding it is “the focus of persistent complaints from the local community and elected members”.
A joint owner was contacted in November 2020 but, according to the council, despite assurances that essential repairs would be carried out, no action has been taken. Wheatley Group would bring the “family sized property” back into use if the CPO is completed.
Council officials have said the landlord of flat 0/2 35 Westmoreland Street, in Govanhill, failed to contribute “on a voluntary basis when owners carried out major common repair works to their building in 2013”.
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