The awards honour the inspiring work of individuals and organisations who have made exemplary contributions to the field of private sector empty homes work in Scotland. The awards ceremony will take place at the 12th Scottish Empty Homes Conference in March 2023. 

In addition to social and affordable housing, this year’s awards include best retrofit of an empty home, as well as use of data to inform empty homes practice and empty homes rising star.

Shaheena Din, national project manager for Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, said: “At a time where there is an urgent need for more housing across Scotland, we are inspired by the work we have seen to convert long-term empty buildings into social and affordable housing this year. We want to acknowledge what has been achieved with this new awards category.

“We continue to see innovative ideas and approaches to tackle some of Scotland’s 43,000+ long-term empty homes and we look forward to showcasing the people and ideas that have made a real difference in the awards ceremony at our empty homes conference next year.

“I strongly encourage anyone who has seen quality empty homes work in the past year to submit nominations.”

All those involved in bringing back empty homes, including local authority employees, landlords, neighbours, contractors and estate agents, are eligible to make or receive nominations.

This year’s four award categories are:

• Best use of empty homes to create social/affordable housing – For strong contribution to increasing supply of social/affordable housing.
• Best retrofit of an empty home – For an excellent environmentally-friendly improvement to an empty home.
• Best use of data to inform empty homes practice – For outstanding examples of using information to get results.
• Empty Homes rising star – For a new start making a positive impact on empty homes work.

Entries will be accepted until Friday 13 January 2023, with the winners being announced on Wednesday 3 March 2023 at the 12th Scottish Empty Homes Conference at The Engine Shed in Stirling.

Nomination forms can be completed at the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership website.