Despite the challenges faced during the health pandemic, the council has exceeded its target of buying 100 properties over the last financial year though its Open Market Purchase Scheme.

In 2013, the council established an empty homes purchase scheme to buy long-term empty properties, particularly those that were falling into disrepair or those blighting the local communities. This was further enhanced in 2018 with the creation of the Open Market Purchase scheme with the two schemes now combined.

Catriona Arbuckle, development officer with North Lanarkshire Council, explained: “Covid has proven very challenging as we have looked to boost our affordable housing stock. We are therefore delighted to have exceeded our target of home purchases and we are grateful to all the owners who have helped us to buy their properties during this period.

“The Open Market scheme allows us to increase the number of good quality homes for rent in our towns and villages in places people and families want to live.

“Many homeowners have shown an interest in selling their properties despite the uncertainties everyone has faced during the coronavirus crisis. Our development team identify properties in areas of high demand which would enhance our current stock and which would represent good value for money.

“It also means we can buy properties where the purchase will allow the council to take complete, or majority ownership of blocks of flats making communal repairs much easier to complete.”

Of the properties purchased in 2020/21, 47 were categorised as having been long term empty properties, and 59 were purchased through the Open Market Purchase Scheme. A further 17 properties are also currently at the conveyancing stage.

The council run scheme has seen £8.65m being spent over the last year on acquisitions and repairs with a further £790,000 committed.

The scheme is supported by £3m of grant funding from the Scottish Government.