Nominations are being sought to recognise the people working to bring Scotland’s 34,000 privately-owned long-term empty homes back into use.

The Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champion of the Year Awards are held to recognise the outstanding work of groups or individuals who help tackle the problem of private property that has sat empty for more than six months.

The Awards are organised by The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership which leads the work by advocating for and supporting councils to employ dedicated empty homes officers.

Anyone can nominate a person or a team in any of the five categories: Best Before & After Photo, Best Use of the Media, Outstanding Individual, Outstanding Project and Outstanding Service.

The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership is hosted by Shelter Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.

Graeme Brown, director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Bringing empty homes back into use is an important part of the solution to easing our shortage of housing. I’d encourage anyone who has seen positive work being done in their community to nominate the people who made that happen and show them that their efforts are valued.”

The closing date for applications is midnight on October 6. Winners will be announced at the 7th Annual Scottish Empty Homes Conference being held at The Lighthouse, Glasgow on November 15.

In its latest annual report the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership found that 859 privately-owned long-term empty homes had been brought back into use in 2016-2017 – the highest number since the partnership was established in 2010. Analysis found that only 28 of the success stories were in areas that do not have a dedicated Empty Homes Officer.

Phillip Hanson, depot manager for Howdens Joinery, which is sponsoring the Scottish Empty Homes Champion of the Year Awards, said: “Howdens Joinery are proud to be supporting the Empty Homes Partnership and Shelter Scotland for the third year running. These organisations have been hugely successful in bringing much needed housing stock back into use across Scotland.”

“The Howdens Scottish Empty Homes Champion of the Year Awards provide a fantastic opportunity to recognise the continued hard work and dedication given by individuals and associations across Scotland and an occasion to celebrate these achievements. Howdens Joinery looks forward to reviewing your nominations and continuing to support this amazing project in the future.”

Nominations can be sent by email to emptyhomes@shelter.org.uk

There is still time to book a place at the conference.