OWNERS or potential buyers of empty homes in the Amman and Gwendraeth valleys are now able to apply for a grant of up to £25,000 to help with renovations.
Local Senedd Member Lee Waters is behind the scheme in his role as Deputy Economy Minister and Chair of the Valleys Taskforce. Up to £20,000 of the grant can be used for essential works to keep the property safe and secure, and a further £5,000 can be used for energy efficiency measures.
The Welsh Government scheme began in Rhondda Cynon Taff and is now being rolled out across the Valleys Taskforce area. Last year First Minister Mark Drakeford widened the taskforce area to include the former coalfield communities of the Amman and Gwendraeth valleys.
The scheme has been widely welcomed as a way to significantly reduce the number of empty homes, support small local builders, and help more young people stay within their home communities at affordable prices.
To qualify for the grant, properties must be unoccupied for at least six months, with the prospective or owner occupiers planning to use it as their main home for at least five years.
“Nearly £10 million will be spent across south Wales to help owners of empty properties, or people who want to buy homes, to bring these houses back to life. It will help tackle the blight on whole streets caused by a disused property as well as helping us meet our housing target, and help local building firms” Said Llanelli MS Lee Waters.
“I am proud to have played a role in making this project happen, and delighted that families in the Gwendraeth and Amman valleys will be able to benefit. This is a really tangible way of improving the fabric of our communities.” He added
More Stories
Conservatives’ Lack of Action on Obscene Energy Profits “Indefensible” says Welsh Lib Dems
New Audit Office Report on Poverty in Wales supports Plaid Cymru’s calls
Successful Operation targeting anti-social driving across Newport and Monmouthshire