Funding for a scheme to help bring some of Scotland's 25,000 empty homes back into use is being extended until March 2013, Housing Minister Keith Brown confirmed today.

Funded by the Scottish Government, the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership helps local authorities work with home owners to bring their homes back into use.

Councils are also being urged to consider developing empty homes loan funds to allow empty home owners to renovate their properties in exchange for making the properties available as affordable housing.

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Speaking at the Shelter Scotland Empty Homes Conference, the Housing Minister Keith Brown said: "There are around 25,000 long term empty homes across Scotland, located in urban, rural and island communities.

"They are an eye-sore and can have a negative impact on the quality of Scotland's cities, towns and villages.

"Shelter Scotland is to be congratulated for taking forward the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership. It is early days but already useful progress has been made with local authorities to identify empty homes.

"The Scottish Government recently provided funding through our Innovation Fund for South Ayrshire Council to develop and run an empty homes loan fund, which will provide interest-free loans for owners to bring their properties back into use as affordable housing."

(GK)