Local MSP welcomes investment to tackle housing emergency
Graeme Dey MSP has welcomed the announcement that Angus Council will benefit from additional Empty Homes Officers, supported by £2 million in SNP Scottish Government funding, to bring more privately owned empty properties back into use.
The investment, delivered through the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership in 2025-26, will see councils across Scotland, including Angus, take a more proactive and targeted approach to tackling local housing issues.
To help return more privately owned empty homes to use, Housing Secretary @MàiriMcAllan has welcomed @scotgov’s £750,000 fund to increase the number of empty homes officers in Scotland. So far nine councils have agreed to match-fund additional posts.https://t.co/GN3Z0JASPC pic.twitter.com/96mnX5CjbM
— Scot Gov Fairer (@ScotGovFairer) July 3, 2025
The new roles are part of the SNP Scottish Government’s commitment to tackling the housing emergency and ensuring every family has access to a safe, secure home. Funding will also be used to train and support new staff and strengthen local authority powers, including through the use of Compulsory Purchase Orders where appropriate.
Figures show that over 43,000 homes across Scotland have been empty for more than six months, with nearly three-quarters vacant for over a year. Since 2010, more than 11,000 homes have been brought back into use thanks to the work of local Empty Homes Officers.
The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, which is supporting the rollout, has confirmed that nine councils, including Angus Council, are on board and recruitment is underway.
With the housing emergency affecting communities across Angus, I’m proud to see our SNP Government delivering vital investment to turn around empty homes for those in my constituency.
GRAEME
This investment will directly benefit families here in Angus, where the need for housing is urgent and growing.
While Labour talks about the housing crisis, the SNP is delivering real solutions. In contrast to Labour’s lack of a credible housing plan, this is yet another example of the SNP putting people first and using the powers of government to make a difference.
By recruiting dedicated officers to bring these properties back into use, we are helping to address the housing crisis head-on and ensure more people have a place to call home.
This investment from the SNP Government shows real leadership and a commitment to long-term solutions and tackling the housing emergency.
