The council is committed to providing around 1,000 new affordable homes to be delivered over five years from 2018 to 2023 and bringing empty private homes back into use as affordable accommodation is vital to helping even more people get the housing they need.

So far in the period 2018-19, it has ensured that 37 properties will be occupied once more, exceeding its target of 20.

Working closely with property owners has been crucial to the success of the empty homes initiative. The council offers interest free loans of up to £20,000 for the owners of empty properties to carry out repairs and refurbishments provided properties are rented at affordable rates.

There is also an option for owners who don’t want to become landlords to carry out repairs and then pay back the loan when they sell their property.

Douglas Hutchison, director – people at South Ayrshire Council, said: “Bringing empty houses back into use as homes is good news and exceeding our target is even better. Since 2011, we have brought 153 empty houses back into use which is a significant achievement.

“Hopefully by making it as easy as possible for owners to bring their properties back into use, we will continue to expand the choice of affordable homes across South Ayrshire.”