With currently more than 1,000 homes across Babergh classified as empty, 'Houses4Homes' encourages owners of vacant residential properties to come forward for advice and support in turning their property into a home for another family.

Empty homes can cause problems in the neighbourhood around them, often fall into disrepair and attract anti-social behaviour.

Now, in National Empty Homes Week, Babergh and neighbouring Mid Suffolk introduce Houses4Homes service, providing help and support for owners of properties that have been empty for six months or more.

Houses4Homes, supports the council's aim to reduce the number of long-term empty properties within the districts, by helping to bring them back into use and discourage owners from leaving them empty.

Babergh councillors Derek Davis and Jan Osborne in a Babergh home (Picture: Lucy Taylor)

The Service offers: 

• Construction advice: General housing advice from Environmental Health professionals, and construction and project planning support
• Financial Assistance: an £20K interest free loan for property owners 
• Private letting support: working with Central Suffolk Lettings to support landlords offering lettings and income assistance.

Residents also are encouraged to report empty homes in their communities online at www.houses4homes.org or by calling 0300 1234000. 

The councils also encourage residents to report any long-term empty homes they notice across the districts.  

Councillor Jan Osborne. Babergh's cabinet member for housing, said: "There are many reasons why properties are left empty and unattended, and we want to help owners of empty properties to breathe new life into properties that have been left empty for long periods of time.  

"The private rental sector has a key role to play in helping to meet the wide range of housing needs. Restoring empty homes not only provides a source of additional income but also helps meets the growing housing needs across the district. 

"We also encourage residents to report homes that have been left vacant for six months or more. Bringing these homes back in to use will also help us meet the growing demand for housing."

For more information on the Houses4Homes service, the Empty Homes Renovation loan or how to report an empty home visit www.houses4homes.org.