Resort to tackle vacant properties

Scarborough Council is recommending actions such as targeting empty homes that have been vacant for longer than six months, and has begun a consultation.

Changes in legislation, property markets and government housing proposals have led the council to look at changing its empty homes strategy, which was first developed five years ago.

A report will go before the council's cabinet on Wednesday, warning that a lack of affordable housing and impending cuts to housing benefit will have a major impact on homelessness.

Councillor Jonathan Dixon, executive member for housing, public health, property maintenance and sustainability, said: "The council is committed to tackling empty homes.

"There are many reasons why we should bring empty properties back into use including the blight that they can cause on a neighbourhood, the problems of disrepair and vandalism and the current shortage of affordable homes to name just a few.

"We are also in the process of contacting all empty home owners to find out why their property is empty and to give them advice and assistance on bringing back their property into use where applicable."

York was highlighted as a blackspot in figures last week, which showed a 57 per cent homelessness increase in the city and a general rise across Yorkshire.

The growing problem is also feared to hit Scarborough hard because homeless people often head to seaside resorts where there is cut-price bed and breakfast outside holiday periods.

Scarborough Homeless Support said last week that affordable housing is "at a premium" in many seaside resorts, including the North Yorkshire town.

The council's consultation runs until the end of February.