00:00Newport City Council says it wants to work more closely with owners of empty homes in
00:06an effort to help tackle the city's growing housing pressures.
00:11The council has approved a new empty home strategy aimed at restoring thousands of properties
00:15that currently sit vacant across the city.
00:18Officials say that at any given time around 3% of Newport's housing stock, nearly 2,500
00:23homes, is empty despite more than 9,000 people being on the housing register.
00:30Cabinet Member for Housing Councillor Syed Adhan says the strategy is about raising the
00:34profile of the issue and encouraging owners to bring properties back into use.
00:39He describes the approach as a mix of support and enforcement, carrot and stick model.
00:44The first step will be a collaboration.
00:47Council officers will contact owners and offer the different types of help available, including
00:51interest-free loans to renovate properties.
00:54Councillor Adhan says the goal is to encourage owners to keep properties occupied, but he
00:58also warns that enforcement will be used where necessary.
01:03That could include a 100% council tax premium on long-term empty homes, effectively doubling
01:08the bill, along with the option of legal notices or even compulsory purchase orders for the most
01:13serious cases.
01:15The council stresses it would rather work with owners than punishment.
01:18As Councillor Adhan put it, it's not just about the bricks and mortar, it's about the people.
01:23He says the council doesn't want to see homes sitting empty, while families remain in a
01:27temporary accommodation.
01:29The council hopes that they bring more homes back onto the market.
01:32The strategy will make a meaningful contribution towards easing demand, improving neighbourhoods
01:36and helping more people find long-term, stable housing in Newport.
01:40James Beach Watkins, reporting for Local TV.
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