**Merthyr Tydfil Council Achieves Progress in Tackling Long-Term Empty Homes**
Merthyr Tydfil Council has reported significant progress in its ongoing efforts to address the issue of long-term vacant properties in the county borough. Recent figures reveal that 43 empty homes were successfully returned to active use through direct council intervention over the past financial year, marking a key milestone in the authority’s wider strategy to tackle housing shortages and urban decay.
The challenge of long-term empty homes – defined as properties unoccupied for more than six months – has been a persistent concern for the area. According to an official cabinet report, there were 540 such properties recorded in the borough in the 2024-25 period. The council’s Empty Homes Strategy, designed to cover the years from 2022 to 2026, sets a target of bringing 7% of these vacant homes back into use annually, with an overall ambition of 200 properties throughout the lifetime of the plan.
In context, the latest year’s performance represents an 8% return-to-use rate, surpassing the annual goal. This follows similar outcomes in preceding years, with 39 properties brought back into use in 2023-24 out of 529 (a rate of just over 7%), and a slightly higher figure of 41 from 582 properties in 2022-23. The council has signalled that these outcomes demonstrate tangible progress, although there remains a considerable journey ahead.
A multifaceted approach underpins the council’s strategy, incorporating engagement with property owners, offering advice and support, providing financial incentives, and, where necessary, undertaking enforcement action. Senior officers have established a dedicated steering group to coordinate efforts, while a redesigned section of the council’s website now offers comprehensive information for owners and residents about empty homes and available schemes.
Communication has also played a pivotal role. The council executes a regular public awareness campaign on social media and maintains updated contacts for registered social landlords interested in acquiring or leasing neglected properties. Notably, the local authority has ramped up efforts to reach property owners, shifting from biennial to annual correspondence to offer guidance and explore solutions for unused homes.
Direct financial assistance is another tool at the council’s disposal. Participation in the national empty homes grant scheme has enabled the return of 11 homes to productive use. Meanwhile, homeowners can now access improvement loans to renovate and re-occupy properties – a measure complemented by the introduction of council tax premiums aimed at discouraging the prolonged neglect of valuable housing stock.
When voluntary engagement does not yield results, the council does not shy away from more robust interventions. The official strategy includes an enforcement framework, prioritising properties that pose the greatest risk to communities. This is supported by a ‘priority scoring’ system which evaluates vacant homes on factors such as duration of emptiness, potential for anti-social behaviour, and broader neighbourhood impact.
The council has placed particular emphasis on properties that have been empty for over a decade. Following an in-depth risk assessment in December 2024, six homes were identified as presenting significant risks and have subsequently become the focus of more intensive action.
Observers note that while the regeneration of empty homes is a complex challenge, Merthyr Tydfil’s measured improvements signal a step in the right direction. Bringing disused properties back into the housing market helps to reduce pressure on social housing, revitalises neighbourhoods, and addresses some of the factors that contribute to urban blight.
As the strategy continues, Merthyr Tydfil Council’s evolving approach will be closely watched as a potential blueprint for other Welsh authorities grappling with similar issues. The ongoing efforts not only highlight the challenges faced by local authorities but also underscore the importance of coordinated, persistent action in addressing the enduring problem of empty homes.