A JOINT effort to bring empty homes back into use in Dene Valley is transforming the local area, a councillor says.

The Empty Homes programme offers eligible private landlords and prospective buyers the chance to take out an interest free loan of up to £15,000 if they agree to let the property until the loan is repaid.

The scheme has already proven successful with 46 houses reoccupied and a further 32 in the process of being refurbished.

Each of the homes have been fitted with door, window and shed alarms as well as boiler DNA mapping which police say has had a positive impact on local crime rates.

Chris Clark, private sector initiatives officer for Durham County Council, said: “The programme is attracting investment into the area and homes that have stood empty for some time have been renovated to a very high standard. That in itself is is making people want to come and live here which is great.”

Chris Greenhalgh, a private landlord who has bought nine properties in the Eldon area, is moving up from Warwickshire with his wife and children.

He said: “I first saw a house on Randolph Street in Eldon, on eBay for £19,000 and I bought it. Because of the loan, buying properties to renovate and let is so much more viable. The first property was bought in November 2015 and I’ve since brought nine.”

Mr Greenhalgh, who is a builder by trade, does the majority of the hands-on work himself and has also employed people from the local area.

Tony Bird, of the Dene Valley Community Partnership, said: “The investment in the area is having a real positive impact already and it is really raising the bar for landlords. It’s a fabulous scheme, the houses have been done to an incredible standard and the support from the police is making Dene Valley a better place to live for everyone.”

Cllr Henry Nicholson added: “This is a real team effort by everybody involved and working on a street by street basis is really transforming the area.

“I think it’s absolutely fantastic that these houses are back in action, it is really putting the heart back into the community.”