More than 1,000 households are waiting for homes as Adur District Council refurbishes dozens of empty council properties in Southwick.
The project, which started in June, has an earmarked budget of up to £2million for the refurbishment of 44 empty flats in the town.
The work required varies between properties and could include new kitchens and bathrooms, upgraded heating, new ventilation systems and redecoration.
The council confirmed there were currently 1,046 households on Adur’s housing waiting list. It also said some of the empty flats had been left vacant for a ‘significant period’ but does not hold data showing exactly how long each property has been empty.
The council said in June that three contractors were being used simultaneously, which it said should allow for the project to be completed in as little as six months.
Three of the 44 homes had been completed as of Friday 14, August, with work having started on a further 14.
Properties are assessed when tenants move out to determine how much work is required before new occupants can move in. The council say it prioritised those that need the least amount of work because the turnaround time would be quicker.
However, it said this resulted in a build-up of empty flats requiring more-substantial work, which is what the investment seeks to resolve.
The council had previously planned to redevelop a wider area of council-owned properties between Southwick station and Shoreham Port, but this has been paused due to uncertainty over proposed changes brought by local government reorganisation in Sussex.
Lee Cowen (Lab, Mash Barn), the council’s cabinet member for housing, said: “Every one of our tenants deserves a home that is safe, secure and sustainable. This work will mean scores of our Adur residents in need of somewhere to live can soon move into good quality social housing in their area, while we invest millions of pounds to improve our other Adur Homes properties.”
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