Stunning before and after photos as Sunderland City Council aims to turn 365 empty properties into family homes

The first of 365 empty properties, which will be turned into family homes, has been redeveloped by Sunderland City Council.
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Stunning before and after photos show the standard of which the empty properties will be redeveloped too over the next five years.

Sunderland City Council have already bought 12 empty homes as part of plans to deliver more affordable housing across Wearside.

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A semi-detached house on Dene Street in Hetton has became the first to be completed and will be the bench mark for all future developments.

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The house, which had stood empty for more than three years looks completely unrecognisable following the transformation – which has seen changes inside and out.

Councillor Rebecca Atkinson, Cabinet Member for Dynamic City at Sunderland City Council, said: "This house was in a poor condition and was having a negative impact on the area after standing empty for so long.

"Its back garden was completely overgrown and the house itself was so bad that it needed just about everything doing to it.

The high standards will be used as a benchmark for other developments.The high standards will be used as a benchmark for other developments.
The high standards will be used as a benchmark for other developments.
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"But what we've managed to achieve here is an amazing transformation, we have turned the run down property into a desirable family home and sets the standard of the homes the council will deliver.

The City Council say that more properties are being identified for purchase and once complete, they will be let out as high quality affordable homes to meet local housing needs.

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