The initiative forms part of the council’s wider strategy to tackle homelessness by reducing pressure on the housing waiting list. Over the next three years, £7.3 million in funding will be distributed to private sector owners, with the aim of restoring 365 empty properties.

Grants ranging from £5,000 to £20,000 will be awarded on the condition that landlords accept a tenant from the Housing Solutions waiting list for a minimum of three years. 

Rent will be paid at the Local Housing Allowance rate.

To qualify applicants must ensure properties are renovated to meet the Decent Homes Standard and are free from Category 1 Hazards—serious risks such as faulty gas or electrical systems that could cause injury or death.

This initiative is expected to deliver significant savings, with estimates suggesting it could reduce spending on temporary accommodation by £13.3 million.

A Liverpool council spokesperson says: “The homelessness crisis is affecting councils up and down the country and in Liverpool we are taking decisive action to tackle it.

“The Empty Homes Grant has the advantage of not just reducing the housing waiting list, but also bringing back into use properties just need some love and care to make them habitable again.

“Combined with other work we are doing, including creating a new customer services hub to rapidly assess homeless households, and working with social housing providers to deliver new affordable developments, we are determined to do everything in our power to make sure people in Liverpool have a decent roof over their head.”

The Eligibility criteria is:

• You must be the owner of the property (or have an interest as one of the owners

• The property must have been vacant for at least 12 months

• There must be no registered financial charges against the property

• The applicant must not be subject to formal enforcement action for housing offences, or have outstanding Council Tax arrears against the property

• Applicants directly related to someone subject to enforcement action by the council or with outstanding Council Tax arrears, where Land Registry records show that the property has been transferred from that person to the applicant within the last 24-month period, are not eligible.??

• Grants are not available in conjunction with any other financial assistance product funded and administered through Liverpool City Council’s capital programme

• Empty Property Grants cannot be approved to develop plots of land where no dwelling exists.??

Applicants are able to apply to Liverpool Council.