More vacant properties in Renfrewshire than there were homelessness applications

dailyrecord.co.uk:

There are more properties sitting vacant in Renfrewshire than there were homeless families last year.Scottish Government figures show there are currently 782 properties that have been empty for six months or more, and 153 second homes in Renfrewshire.The Express reported last week that there had been 737 households assessed as homeless or threatened with homelessness – up from 700 in the previous year.The statistics came from the Scottish Government’s Homelessness in Scotland: update to September 30, 2022.West Scotland MSP Ross Greer says that a recent increase in a tax known as Additional Dwelling Supplement can help to tackle inequality in housing across Renfrewshire, address the hoarding of properties by big landlords and reduce the damage caused by holiday homes.Renfrewshire Live, the new free app dedicated to bringing you around the clock breaking news, is now available to download.Powered by the Paisley Daily Express, Renfrewshire Live is your go-to source for news, features and sport with live coverage provided direct to the app, seven days a week.The dedicated team of experienced journalists, responsible for the publication of the award-winning Express, will focus on breaking news, day and night, across Renfrewshire’s towns and villages.There is also a dedicated St Mirren section that will follow every kick of the ball with the Buddies.Available on both Android and Apple.

Download here: smarturl.it/RenfrewLiveSocialThe supplement is an additional tax paid by those purchasing a property which is not their primary home, such as buy-to-let landlords second home owners.It has been increased from four per cent to six per cent.Ross Greer, Scottish Green MSP for Renfrewshire, said: “People desperately need good quality