New plans have been put forward to bring 179 homes back into use in the Kensington, Granby and Picton areas of Liverpool.

The Mayor's Cabinet will be asked to approve proposals on Friday 22 February to breathe new life into the vacant properties in Granby Four Streets, Arnside Road and Webster Triangle East, over the next three years.

The initiatives include a pilot 'Homesteading' scheme, which would see up to 20 properties being given to local people for £1. Residents would be expected to refurbish properties 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.

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The Homesteading scheme 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. The model has already proved to be a success in other parts of the city, with The Riverside Group bringing 250 properties back into use.

Under the plans, small groups of properties may also be sold to private landlords. Those who bid for the properties will need to commit to refurbishing them to Decent Homes Standard, and will also be required to be a member of the council’s CLASS accreditation scheme for landlords.

The plans – which aim to drive up the quality of housing and build stronger, more sustainable neighbourhoods – replace a contract offer made to developer Leader1 Liverpool to deliver housing regeneration in the three areas, which was withdrawn last year.

(CD/GK)