THIS WEEK IN 1997: Help the homeless plan is money-saver

A total of 580 run-down properties had been brought back into use since the campaign was started in 1994

Cheap mortgages were to be made in Portsmouth for people to buy empty properties to lease to the homeless.

The own-to-lease scheme was part of the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Property Forum’s strategy to bring some 17,000 empty homes in the area back to use.

In return for low-interest rate mortgages, landlords would have to lease the property to a housing association for at least five years.

Mandy Scott, Portsmouth City Council’s empty property officer, said this not only guaranteed landlords an income but provided a manager as well.

Jeremy Wood, head of housing and busines finance at Nationwide, said: ‘This will help regenerate the city centre.’

A total of 580 run-down properties had been brought back into use since the campaign was started in 1994.