There has been a 99% increase in the annual figure for long-term empty properties being transformed into new homes in Wales, according to a new report.

A report released today on the success of Welsh Government's Houses into Homes scheme shows 2,178 empty homes were brought back into use in 2013/14, a 99 per cent increase on 2012/13, the first year of the scheme and a 112 per cent increase on 2011/12, the year before the scheme started.

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4,471 empty properties in Wales have been turned into homes so far during this Assembly term.

The Houses into Homes scheme, which has been supported by £20 million of Welsh Government investment in its first two years, provides interest free loans to owners of properties which have been empty for more than 6 months, to bring the properties back into use for sale or rent.

A total of 230 loans were approved over the first two years of the project. The total value of these loans was over £9.44 million, with £7.4 million worth of loans being approved in 2013/14.

(CD/IT)