Empty Homes Officers operating questions: FOI release

Information requested

You asked:

a) How many Empty Homes Officers are operating across Scotland?

b) In what area/councils across Scotland are Empty Homes Officers working?

c) How much Scottish Government funding has been allocated to support Empty Homes Officers?

Response

I enclose a copy of all of the information you requested.

The answer to your questions are:

a) There are currently 24 Empty Homes Officers (including shared and part time officers) operating across 21 local authorities in Scotland.

b) See table below:

Aberdeen City
Aberdeenshire
Angus
Argyll and Bute
Dumfries and Galloway
East Ayrshire
Falkirk
Fife
Glasgow City
Inverclyde
Moray
Na h-Eileanan Siar
North Ayrshire
North Lanarkshire
Orkney
Perth and Kinross
Renfrewshire
Scottish Borders
South Ayrshire
Stirling
West Dunbartonshire

c) In March 2018 the Scottish Government fulfilled its 2017 Programme for Government commitment to double funding for the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership until 31 March 2021. The grant of £1,269,000 enables the Partnership to work with local authorities, and the network of Empty Homes Officers, to develop and enhance empty homes services which encourage private owners to bring their empty homes back into use. Within the overall budget, £379,575 is set aside to help local authorities establish or enhance their empty homes officer provision.

About FOI
The Scottish Government is committed to publishing all information released in response to Freedom of Information requests. View all FOI responses at http://www.gov.scot/foi-responses.