People are being given more time to register their interest in an innovative Liverpool pilot scheme which is giving 20 local residents the opportunity to buy a property for just £1.
The original deadline for expressions of interest in the city’s ‘Homes for £1’ scheme was Wednesday 27 February, but the city council has extended this by one week, to Wednesday 6 March.
It follows an overwhelming response to the plans, which will see 20 homes sold for £1 in the Granby Four Streets, Arnside Road and Webster Triangle East areas of the city. More than 2,000 people have contacted the council to enquire about the scheme since it was announced just over a week ago.
The pilot scheme forms part of the wider plans to bring 179 homes back into use in the Kensington, Granby and Picton areas of Liverpool. The plans will also see the development of an ‘Own Place’ model, which will see the council transferring vacant properties to The Riverside Group, who will refurbish them and offer them for sale at 25% less than market value.
Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet Member for Housing, Councillor Ann O’Byrne, said: “We must never underestimate the importance of having a home. For most of us, nothing is more important. That’s why we’re working so hard on schemes like this to bring our empty homes back into use.
“We’ve been really pleased with the response to these plans. We’ve been absolutely swamped with calls, so we have decided to extend the deadline to make sure that every single person who is interested has the opportunity to apply.”
Residents who are successful in obtaining a home will be expected to refurbish it to Decent Home Standard, which means they must be 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 sub-let it within that time.
To register an interest in the ‘Homes for £1’ scheme, and for more details, residents should visit www.liverpool.gov.uk/homesforapound. Alternatively, residents can call 0151 233 3073.
All enquiries are being logged and details taken. Decisions on who will get the homes, how they will be allocated, and where the homes will be, will be made in May.
