The Minister for Housing and Regeneration, Carl Sargeant visited Maerdy to see what can be done to tackle the number of empty properties there.

Since 2008, Rhondda Cynon Taf has worked hard to reduce the number of empty properties in Maerdy, with good results (92 empty properties in 2008 reduced to 51 in 2012). However the challenge there remains, with worries that the number of empty properties is making the area a more undesirable place to live.

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Mr Sargeant said: "Empty properties are a wasted resource and an unnecessary blight on our communities and I want to see much more done to tackle the issue. Getting these properties back in use represents a major part of the Welsh Government’s commitment to increasing housing supply in Wales.

"With the added support of the Welsh Government’s £20m Housing into Homes scheme, there has never been a better time to make an empty house a home. The scheme provides an interest free loan of up to £25,000 for each empty home in Wales.

"I'd like to commend Rhondda Cynon Taf on the work done to date and call on individuals and landlords in the area to work proactively with the local authority in order to get more of these empty homes back into use."

(CD/MH)