A SCHEME which has played a big part in turning 317 empty private sector properties into homes in Carmarthenshire has received a funding boost as part of a new £20 million Welsh Government investment to improve the housing stock.

Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister Lesley Griffiths has announced the Home Improvement Loans and Houses Into Homes schemes will each receive £10 million.

Houses Into Homes will help bring many derelict and inhabitable properties back into use and Home Improvement Loans will improve the standard of properties by eliminating hazards.

A recent report showed an increase in the number of empty private sector properties brought back into use across Wales.

To date, 4,471 empty and run-down properties have been turned into homes so far this Assembly term, only 529 short of the Welsh Government’s ambitious 5,000 target for the whole term, which runs until May 2016. Houses into Homes has played a big part in helping to achieve this.

More specifically, the national strategic indicators show 317 empty private sector properties in Carmarthenshire have been turned into homes so far during this Assembly term.

The Home Improvement Loans scheme will offer loans to home owners and private sector landlords to improve poor quality housing across Wales.

Funding of £10 million will be provided over two years to offer interest-free loans of up to £25,000 per property which will be recycled by Carmarthenshire County Council and provided to homeowners in the county to maximise the funding and improve the standard of housing.

A further £10 million will go to the Houses into Homes scheme, bringing the total investment in the programme to £30 million. The additional funding will expand the programme which provides re-usable, interest-free loans to owners of empty run-down properties, to bring them back into use for sale or rent.

Communities and Tackling Poverty Minister Lesley Griffiths said: “One of the biggest issues facing the housing sector at the moment is the lack of homes for sale or for rent. Empty homes are not only a wasted resource, but they can also attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour and can spoil the appearance of our neighbourhoods.

“I am delighted to announce our Home Improvement Loan programme is now open for business. This innovative scheme will improve poor quality housing across Wales – eliminating hazards which can cause harm to residents and health issues such as damp and cold.

“The success of our flagship Houses into Homes scheme must also be acknowledged. As well as bringing 4471 properties back into use, the scheme is also creating jobs in our construction industry. I hope this additional funding will build on this progress and give more families in Wales to opportunity to find a home.

“These funding announcements clearly demonstrate our commitment to meeting Wales’ housing need.”