1,600 homes lying idle may be seized; HOUSING: Action by council to bring back hundreds of empty houses into use.

Byline: By David Bell 

HUNDREDS of private homes which have been empty for more than five years have been targeted for seizure by city housing chiefs.

Owners sitting on the properties in the hope of making a killing from rising prices are to be threatened with compulsory purchase orders if they do not bring them into use.

Housing experts have revealed that 15,000 private homes are lying idle, more than enough to ease Birmingham's growing homelessness crisis.

The city is targeting the worst first - the 1,600 that have been empty for more than five years.

Its initiatives include: Enforced sale in cases where the council is owed money.

Finding a buyer through a local authority website - empro.co.uk - launched last year.

Lease it to a housing association for 2-5 years with the owner guaranteed a weekly rent income.

Compulsory purchase. "The thousands of empty homes represent a huge waste of resource for families in the city in need of a roof over their heads," said city cabinet housing chief Coun John Lines. "Empty properties also cause blight to an area and nuisance to residents by attracting crime and antisocial behaviour."

Officials confirm that even the threat of a compulsory order is effective.

Of the 100 cases which have come to the brink of legal action over the past five years, in 80 the owner has sold up.

What do you think?

WRITE to us at Birmingham Mail, PO Box 78, Weaman Street, Birmingham B4 6AY. Or log on to our website at www.icbirmingham.co.uk/mail

CAPTION(S):

BLIGHT... empty, neglected properties on the city's Hagley Road and (inset) cabinet housing chief Coun John Lines.