Plans have been unveiled to establish a new dedicated officer to help bring long-term, privately-owned empty homes back into use on the Western Isles.

The Community and Housing Committee of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has recommended the local authority accept plans of part-funding the post for two years from the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP).

Empty Homes officers use information, practical help as well as awareness of discounts, grants and loans to assist the owners of empty homes to bring properties back into use either by moving in, selling them or letting them out.

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The move comes as official figures reveal there are 522 long-term empty properties in private ownership on the Outer Hebrides and that 231 of these have been vacant for 12 months or more. This equates to 3.5% of local housing stock which is more than twice the national rate of empty properties. In Stornoway, 4% of homes are currently lying empty, however that rises to 8% of homes being long-term empty in the more rural areas.

Shaheena Din, National Manager of the SEHP, said: "I'm delighted we are close to working with the Comhairle on an empty homes project for the islands.

"From our experience across Scotland we have found that having a dedicated member of staff makes the difference when it comes to engaging with the owners of empty homes and helping them make a plan to get property back into use."

Cllr Kenny John Macleod added: "Bringing empty properties back into use can be of much benefit for communities and contribute to Comhairle and Community Planning aspirations in terms of population retention and economic development. I am delighted that we are now moving forward to address this issue and we look forward to working with our partners in SEHP."

(LM/MH)