Council to sell empty homes for £1

The idea is expected to be approved by Liverpool Council’s cabinet on Friday. A homesteading scheme would see up to 20 properties sold to local people to refurbish and then live in.

Residents would be expected to make sure the homes are in a reasonable state of repair, be warm, weatherproof and have reasonably modern facilities. They would also be required to live in the property for five years and not sublet it within that time.

Other properties will be transferred to housing association Riverside for refurbishment and then sold at 25 per cent less than market value.

Small groups of properties may also be sold to private landlords.

Ann O’Byrne, cabinet member for housing at Liverpool Council, said: ‘We want to find innovative ways of bringing properties back into use and attracting people back into our neighbourhoods – whether that’s through offering homes for £1, or working with registered providers to refurbish homes and selling them at discounted prices.

‘Ultimately, it’s about driving forward housing renewal, investing in the future of our communities and doing everything we can to provide good quality, affordable housing for the people who need it most.’

The council also announced this week that its £15 million plan for the redevelopment of the Welsh Streets neighbourhood has taken a major step forward, following the submission of the official planning application.

More than 150 new homes are planned for the area, as well as the refurbishment of 37 properties. Two hundred and eight homes will be demolished to make way for the new development.