Regeneration project receives £477,285 to tackle empty homes in Wales

A housing regeneration project has received a substantial funding package to address the high number of empty properties in Wales.

Community Impact Initiative has been awarded £477,285 by the Pen Y Cymoedd Community Fund to continue work regenerating empty properties in the upper reaches of the Neath, Afan, Rhondda and Cynon valleys through its Building Resilience in Communities (BRiC) project.

There are more than 120,000 unoccupied homes in Wales (about 8.2% of all dwellings) according to the Office for National Statistics. Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council says there are currently 2,704 known empty properties in the local authority area.

Through the BRiC initiative, long-term empty properties are purchased, often at auction, refurbished to a liveable standard and returned to the housing market.

Established in 2016, the initiative also offers a volunteer working programme to anyone over the age of 16, enabling people to learn new skills, adapt to a work life balance, and develop confidence in the construction industry.

Paul Gall, 49, moved from Bristol to Treforest and began working on the project last year.

“My partner was diagnosed with epilepsy ten years ago, so I stepped away from the trade to care for her around the clock,” Paul said.

“I worked in Germany as a plasterer, became a qualified carpenter in Bristol, and I was a project manager, too. But being away from the site for so long has knocked my confidence.”

Paul decided to move closer to his partners family in Treforest so he could start looking for full-time employment again, but his careers mentor recommended the BRiC project to rebuild his self-belief.

“Working with different people again has been beneficial for me. You’d never see me raise my arm in meetings and make suggestions on projects a few years ago,” Paul said.

“I’m still fairly new to it all but it’s going well. I’m working with the mentors and offering some advice to the younger guys that come through.

“I struggled for years with public speaking, but the project advisors have been patient with me and I’m back to me usual problem-solving self now.”

People like Paul can sign up to the project and can find the information needed on the Community Impact Initiative website.

Kate Breeze, Executive Director of the Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund, said: “The Pen y Cymoedd Community Fund is delighted to support a project that addresses such an important issue within the area of benefit. BRiC does inspiring work reducing empty property numbers while empowering people to learn new skills, develop their sense of community pride, and provide support into further employment.”