What is the Welsh Government's current target regarding bringing empty properties back into use over the next 2 years?
Empty homes can be a blight and nuisance on our communities. Not only can they attract anti-social behaviour, pose environmental health problems and contribute to a general decline in their neighbourhoods, but they are also a wasted resource. This is particularly frustrating when housing is in short supply. That is why we are investing up to £50m through our Empty Homes Grant scheme over the period 2023-24 to 2025-26, to bring up to 2,000 long-term empty properties back into use. This funding is designed to accelerate our work to bring empty properties back into use and complement our existing schemes. This work is being carried out in collaboration with Siân Gwenllian, the Plaid Cymru lead designated member, as part of the Co-operation Agreement between the Welsh Government and Plaid Cymru.