Empty house transformed into a home
A new affordable home in Sincil Bank has now officially opened as part of a scheme to revitalise the neighbourhood and bring empty properties back into use.
The first strategic property acquisition by the Sincil Community Land Trust (SCLT), 107 St Andrews Street, has been refurbished and transformed into affordable social housing with City of Lincoln Council, Investors in Lincoln, and Lincoln City Foundation.
The project forms part of the wider Sincil Bank Revitalisation Programme, which has included the construction of 11 new homes and improvements to the roads and street scenes.
The SCLT is a resident-led organisation working to improve the Sincil Bank area through community projects, environmental improvements and affordable housing initiatives. Previous work has included creating and enhancing pocket parks in the Park Ward area.
A key goal for the SCLT is to improve the neighbourhood by converting empty or neglected properties into affordable social housing.
The refurbishment of 107 St Andrews Street was supported by grant funding from the council using Right to Buy receipts and a loan from Investors in Lincoln, helping the SCLT acquire and renovate the previously empty property.
It is hoped the project will be the first of several similar schemes aimed at increasing access to affordable housing, improving the local environment and reducing the number of long-term empty homes across the city.
The property will be managed by the Lincolnshire Employment Accommodation Project (LEAP), a local registered social housing provider, and is expected to welcome its first tenant next week.
Cllr Donald Nannestad, City of Lincoln Council’s Portfolio Holder for Quality Housing, said: “We are pleased to support the Sincil Community Land Trust with its first property acquisition and refurbishment project.
“Projects like this play an important role in bringing empty homes back into use, supporting local people with access to affordable housing and helping to strengthen communities across the city. We look forward to seeing the positive impact this project will have in Sincil Bank.”
Steve Kemp, Chair of the Sincil Community Land Trust, added: “I’d like to say a personal thank you to all Board members - past and present - who have helped each other through this lengthy process and kept each other going - there have been challenges along the way, but it’s been a strong team-building experience.
“Overall, what we’re trying to do is our bit to make Sincil Bank the place people want to live, not the place they have to live - and bit by bit, I think we’re starting to get there.”