ALMOST 200 empty homes across Tendring have been brought back into use this year.

Town hall bosses have used a range of measures to cut the amount of vacant housing.

Nearly 900 homes had stood empty for six months or more in March this year, but the number has now been reduced by 197.

Tendring Council said it has been helping owners to address the situation.
Housing boss Paul Honeywood said: “This is an excellent result and is shows that our policies in this area are paying off handsomely.

“However, we will not be resting on our laurels and work will continue to reduce this number even further.”

Earlier this year the council compulsorily purchased an empty home in Berkeley Road, Clacton, to provide housing. It is now looking at two other properties.

Owners of empty houses are also being encouraged to bring them back into use.