With 9,000 private properties across North London lying empty for more than six months and 68,500 households in housing need, a new website is offering hope to those on Islington's housing waiting list - www.nlep.co.uk<br><br>The website belongs to the North London Sub-Region Empty Property Initiative which represents the six boroughs of Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey, Islington and Westminster. It aims to advise owners, prospective owners and tenants on how to bring empty properties back into use. It's backed by a £3.375m grant from Government Office for London (GOL).<br><br>As well as advice about renting, selling and council-run leasing schemes, there's information about grants that may be available for repair and building work.<br><br>The Empty Property Initiative uses a shared database of each borough's Empty Property Officer (EPO) to collate the stock of housing.<br><br>Cllr Terry Stacy, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Housing and Communities, Islington Council, welcomed the new website: "We're working together with our other North London borough partners to tackle unused and wasted empty properties. <br><br>"This new website is another practical tool we are using to help increase the supply of good-quality and affordable accommodation that is available both to let and buy, helping to find homes for those that most need them."<br><br>A 2006 Ipsos MORI poll showed that many owners of empty properties were reluctant to bring their homes back into use promptly. The sub-region is supporting enforcement work in the boroughs to ensure works are carried out and that empty properties are brought back into use. As a last resort, this can include the compulsory purchase or leasing of properties.<br><br>Grants are available to owners in return for the property being used to house people in housing need. <br><br>Desmond Kilroy of the Empty Homes Agency commented: "We welcome the development of the new North London Empty Property website. It will be a really useful resource for residents and owners, as together we all look to bring empty properties back into use." <br><br><br>ENDS<br><br><br>Editors notes:<br>Further information about the work of the sub-region, and contact details for the six boroughs, is available on the North London Empty Property website, www.nlep.co.uk, or by telephoning freephone 0800 953 6305.<br><br>Further information for empty properties outside to the north London sub region area please refer to the Empty Homes Agency website at www.emptyhomes.com or call their Hotline on 0870 901 6303.<br><br><br>
Page Last Updated: 17 December 2009