The winners, announced yesterday at the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership annual conference, recognised the efforts of individuals, private businesses and council staff in bringing nearly 1500 empty homes back in to use in 2019/20.

The winners were as follows:

• Outstanding Empty Homes Service: Aberdeen City Council Empty Homes Working Group
• Best Long-term restoration project: Moniaive Initiative & South of Scotland Community Housing for Sawmill Green, Moniaive
• Best Commercial Service: Howden’s Joinery, Inverness
• Outstanding Individual: Joanne Saurin, Empty Homes Officer, Fife Council

Shaheena Din, national project manager for the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, said: “I am delighted for all of this year’s awards winners. In difficult circumstances, they have all shown an incredible willingness to go above and beyond to help bring empty homes back in to use. The Covid-19 pandemic shows how important it is going to be in coming years to continue that hard work and we look forward to seeing what everyone involved in bringing empty homes back in to use will achieve in the next 12 months.”

Kevin Stewart, Scottish Minister for local government, housing and planning, added: “It is encouraging that in the midst of hard times, we have seen continued dedication from hard-working people and companies. The Scottish Government greatly appreciates all of the effort that has gone into bringing empty homes back into use over the past year.”

Neil Fraser, partner at Fraser & Fraser, commented: “We are delighted to be supporting the 10th Scottish Empty Homes Annual Conference Awards Ceremony. Throughout this difficult year, it is so important to recognise those going above and beyond for the cause of empty homes. With a record number of empty homes brought back into use in 2020, there have been some very inspiring nominations.”