The promotion of the compulsory purchase of two empty homes in Govanhill has been agreed by Glasgow City Council.

The purchases of these properties - at 1/1, 29 Annette Street and 1/1, 35 Westmoreland Street - will improve the condition of the housing stock and bring empty homes back into use.

The council has also approved ‘back-to-back’ agreements with Govanhill Housing Association for these flats, which will see - on completion of the compulsory purchase order - the ownership of the homes transferred to the housing association.

Through the council’s Empty Homes Strategy - which aims to turn empty properties in Glasgow into living homes, increasing local housing supply and contributing to the regeneration of neighbourhoods - these properties were identified as long-term empty homes.

The flat at 35 Westmoreland Street has been unoccupied since August 2017, with the 29 Annette Street flat unoccupied since August 2019.

The funding for the acquisition of these flats by Govanhill Housing Association will be made available through the council’s Affordable Housing Supply Programme (AHSP) budget.

Councillor Kenny McLean, city convener for Neighbourhoods, housing and public realm at Glasgow City Council, said: “The compulsory purchase of these properties in Govanhill will bring them back to productive use, creating new homes in the area and helping in its regeneration. We will continue to work with our partners to tackle the blight of empty homes across the city in order to meet housing need and improve the lives and environment of our communities.”