Homeless borough families are reaping the benefits of a drive to renovate empty properties - with 95 being brought back into use in the last year alone.

Richmond upon Thames Council's empty property scheme gives grants to owners of empty homes.

The owner then agrees to lease out the property to the council for three to five years and in return, the council manage the property and pay the owner a guaranteed rent.

The renovated home is then used to accommodate a homeless family.

In 2004-05, 70 houses were brought back into use under the scheme and in 2005/06, 56 were renovated.

Cabinet member for adult services, health and housing, Councillor Denise Carr, said: "The council is totally committed to reducing the number of empty houses and this special scheme is proving a great success in helping achieve this goal.

"Leaving a property empty does not make economic sense. Landlords receive no rental income, the property will deteriorate further and it could become the target of vandalism and squatting.

"The grants scheme is one of several initiatives that help both property owners and homeless families and we would like to hear from all owners who would like to take advantage of it."

David Ireland, chief executive of the Empty Homes Agency, said: "We work with many local authorities and regard filling empty homes as a win-win: a person is rehoused and the landlord gets some much-needed income."

Homes in good order can also benefit from similar schemes run by the council.

For more information contact the council's strategy and development team. Email strategyanddevelopment@richmond .gov.uk or call 020 8891 7833.