UP TO 300 empty houses across Selby District are to be reallocated to improve affordable rented accommodation in the area.

Selby District Council has agreed to take over the running of empty homes which have stood empty for six months or more and are deemed not likely to be used in the near future.

Councillor Gillian Ivey, chairwoman of the council’s social board, said the move uses powers set out for local authorities in the Housing Act 2004, and will support local families.

She said: “The aim is to help us to ensure that the homes here in the Selby district are available for local families. In some areas there are perfectly useable properties which have stood empty for some time. We think it’s right that these are brought back into use to meet local needs.”

The council will apply for Empty Dwelling Management Orders to bring the homes back onto the market, enabling them to manage the property for up to seven years.

The property would not be owned by the council, but it would receive income from the rent paid which would be used to cover the costs of any improvements required.

“Applying for an Empty Dwelling Management Order is a last resort,” said Coun Ivey.

“We will always try to work with the property owner to bring the home back onto the rental market in the first instance, but adopting these powers does give us the option of taking strong action if it’s needed.”

In February, The Press reported an increase in affordable housing across York and North Yorkshire, in areas such as Selby, Hambleton and Harrogate, with a four-year-slump in the city of York.

Coun Ivey said the applications for Empty Dwelling Management Orders should not involve any additional costs for the council, as expenses incurred by making the properties habitable would be recouped through rental income over the duration of the order.