ALMOST £11m of Government money will be pumped into bringing empty properties back into use for housing in Hull.
Empty shops, offices and other commercial premises will be targeted, along with derelict homes.
Two potential schemes being looked at involve refurbishing the empty former Cornmill Hotel in Holderness Road, east Hull, and redeveloping the site where the crumbling former New York Hotel stands, in Anlaby Road, city centre.
Both buildings are currently privately owned.
Funding is to be split between Hull City Council and partner organisations – the housing charity Giroscope, social enterprise companies Goodwin Development Trust and Probe, Preston Road Women's Centre and DISC, a housing scheme for people with previous drug and alcohol problems.
It is hoped hundreds of properties will converted to meet the demand for smaller homes in Hull.
The city council is currently receiving 100 bids for every one-bed flat that becomes available.
Councillor John Black, cabinet member for housing, said: "This is fantastic news for the city and we are delighted to be awarded this further funding following on from the success of the first round.
"The council will be focussing on converting properties to increase the supply of one- bedroom accommodation to meet the demand created through the recent welfare reforms.
"This funding will also improve local communities and the look of an area, create jobs for the local workforce and bring properties back into use that could have been left for many more years to come."
Under the move, the council will receive just over £4m.
Cllr Black said empty council-owned offices and shops would be included in the programme along with empty houses acquired by the authority in the Boulevard area, west Hull, as part of ongoing regeneration work in the neighbourhood.
He said: "The properties will receive extensive improvements and work will be carried out to make them energy efficient, as it continues to show our commitment and vision to become a leading energy city, as outlined in Hull's City Plan."
The Goodwin Development Trust will join forces with council-owned building firm KWL to deliver a joint £5.2m conversion programme.
Goodwin's chief executive Peter McGurn said: "Our organisation is founded on the principal asset development for the benefit of the community and this empty homes initiative is central to that ethos.
"We are always seeking development opportunities, whether it's an abandoned terraced house in a city side-street or a large derelict eyesore.
"We have a dynamic proven track record in community development and if a property can be redeveloped for the social economic wellbeing of all, then we are always interested. That is why we are here."
Goodwin's £2.3m grant is the largest non-council award in England.
Have you seen our new homepage?Bookmark hulldailymail.co.uk for the very best and exclusive local content.
