South Ayrshire Council has launched a new initiative to help bring empty homes back into use.

To increase the supply of 'affordable' homes in the region, interest free loans of up to £20,000 have been made available for owners of empty properties to carry out repairs and refurbishments, provided the properties are rented at 'affordable' rates.

However, new plans have been unveiled for owners who don't want to become landlords. The proposals offer interest free home refurbishment loans which are repaid at the point of sale.

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The council has pledged to deliver around 1,000 new 'affordable' homes over the next five years. So far, the Empty Homes initiative has brought 88 homes back into use since 2011, with 470 still available.

Cllr Philip Saxton said by making it easier for owners to bring their properties up to a good standard, it will help increase the choice for people looking for homes.

"We're committed to making lives better for people and have pledged to create hundreds of new affordable homes by 2023.

"The areas we're seeing the highest levels of properties lying empty are in Ayr, Girvan and South Carrick and we're working hard to bring as many of these back into use as possible."

(LM/MH)