A £20 million boost to renovate derelict buildings into homes in Wales was announced today.

The Welsh Government is investing the money to bring thousands of uninhabitable properties back into use.

One scheme to do this will offer loans to home owners and landlords to improve poor quality housing across Wales.

Communities and tackling poverty minister Lesley Griffiths announced funding of £10 million over two years to offer interest-free loans of up to £25,000 per property to homeowners across Wales.

The minister also announced £10 million for the Houses into Homes scheme, bringing the total investment in the programme to £30 million.

Houses Into Homes provides re-usable, interest-free loans to owners of empty run-down properties, to bring them back into use for sale or rent.

Old Town Hall in Aberdare, where the announcement was made, is itself a formerly disused building which was transformed into affordable homes thanks to £80,000 of House into Homes funding.

To date, 4471 empty and run-down properties have been turned into homes so far this Assembly term, only 529 short of the Welsh Government’s 5,000 target for the whole term.

Lesley Griffiths said: “One of the biggest issues facing the housing sector at the moment is the lack of homes for sale or for rent. Empty homes are not only a wasted resource, but they can also attract vandalism and anti-social behaviour and can spoil the appearance of our neighbourhoods.

“I am delighted to announce our Home Improvement Loan programme is now open for business. This innovative scheme will improve poor quality housing across Wales – eliminating hazards which can cause harm to residents and health issues such as damp and cold.

Councillor Keiron Montague, Rhondda Cynon Taf Council’s Cabinet Member for Service Delivery, Communities and Housing added: “Good quality housing is so important as it can positively impact on health and prosperity and I welcome the Minister’s announcement today that significant funding is to be made available to support the development of poor quality housing across Wales.”