Winners of two National Empty Homes Awards
Arun District Council's Empty Homes Team attended the National Empty Homes Conference in Birmingham on 20 May. The event brought together professionals from across the country to share best practice and share achievements in bringing empty properties back into use.
We were delighted to receive two awards on the day: the Meeting the Challenge Award and Best Before and After Photo.
The Meeting the Challenge Award recognised Arun District Council's outstanding work on a particularly complex empty homes case. The project involved significant challenges, including vulnerability, anti-social behaviour, legal obstacles and severe property neglect. Through perseverance, compassion and strong partnership working, the team was able to achieve a positive outcome.
The judges highlighted how this case demonstrated not only technical expertise but also the wider social value of empty homes work, showcasing the life-changing impact that sustained intervention can have.
The Best Before and After Photo image was of a long-term empty home in a rural location that had been empty for several years. Its isolation contributed to ongoing anti-social behaviour, sustained multi-agency involvement, and repeated complaints over an extended period.
Following its purchase by a local developer, the site underwent extensive renovation and has since been repurposed for a highly valuable community use. Due to the sensitive nature of the project, it is not appropriate to share details about the location. However, the property now provides a safe, warm and supportive environment for local persons in a housing need, representing a positive and meaningful outcome from a previously challenging situation.
Councillor Amanda Worne, Chair Environment Committee, said: “This is a positive story and we're incredibly proud to have our work recognised at a national level. These awards reflect the team's dedication, resilience and compassionate approach in tackling complex empty homes cases and highlight the positive difference this work makes to people's lives and our communities.”