Funding for an empty homes scheme in Scotland has been extended to March 2014.

Housing Minister Margaret Burgess has confirmed the Scottish government will continue to fund the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, run by Shelter Scotland.

The government says there are about 25,000 properties across Scotland in urban, rural and island communities that are classed as long-term empty.

The Partnership is to receive an additional £55,000 to help local authorities and homeowners work together to bring the properties back into use.

Mrs Burgess was speaking at the annual Scottish Empty Homes Conference.

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"Empty homes are a scar on the landscape in many cities and towns across Scotland," she said.

"While building new affordable housing is a key priority, making best use of existing stock is also important. Bringing empty homes back into use is a cost-effective way of increasing the supply of housing available to families across Scotland’s communities.

"There is still a lot of work to do across the country and clearly the work of the Empty Homes Partnership is central to keep up the momentum and develop new ways of working."

Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland who run the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, said: "This is very welcome news and means that even more work can be done to help bring empty homes back into use for families and individuals who need them.

"When protected and refurbished, empty homes add to the housing supply, contribute to local regeneration and improve community safety.

"This extension in funding signals a continuing commitment to make empty homes a part of real housing solutions for Scotland. We look forward to working with the government to build on existing success to bring even more of Scotland’s 25,000 long-term empty homes into use."

(IT/GK)