MORE empty properties are being brought back into use through community partnership in a North-East city.

Sunderland City Council is working with social housing providers and accredited private landlords, to refurbish empty and neglected properties to provide much-needed new homes for local people.

The council provides practical help, advice and access to funding through a range of grants and loans to help property owners carry out the essential repairs needed to make houses and flats liveable again.

The loans are provided by the city council through the national New Homes Bonus which was launched by the Government in 2011 to encourage local authorities to bring empty properties back in to use.

The city council's empty properties team has already returned 102 empty properties to use for families to live in this year, and help owners of empty properties to turn their property from a wasted resource to a home for families - that also brings in an income.

Portfolio holder for health, housing and adult services, Cllr Graeme Miller said: "I am delighted that we've all been able to help families find a new home, and pleased that as a city we continue to make progress in returning empty properties back into use.

"Working with our housing partners such as Co-op Housing in Partnership, Back on the Map, Gentoo and private landlords we are well on the way to creating new homes from previously neglected and derelict properties."

Anyone is interested in financial help to return an empty property back into a home or in becoming a Sunderland Accredited Landlord, contact the team on 0191 5205551 or at housing.renewal@sunderland.gov.uk.