During 2025/26, Fife Council’s Empty Homes Service continued to play a key role in increasing housing supply and supporting communities by bringing long-term empty properties back into use. Established in 2014, the service provides advice, support and practical assistance to homeowners, helping to return unused properties to the housing market and reduce pressure on housing services. This work is a key part of Fife’s response to the housing emergency, helping to provide additional homes for families and individuals while reducing the number of properties left vacant.

The service is delivered through a small dedicated team of Empty Homes Officers, working closely with a range of internal and external partners. These include the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership, Scottish Government, Housing Services, Council Tax, Protective Services and Homelessness teams. This partnership approach helps identify empty properties, engage owners and coordinate solutions to bring homes back into use, particularly where properties are in poor condition or have been vacant for long periods.

Activity is guided by the Empty Homes Strategy 2024–29, which sets out a clear approach to reducing the number of long-term empty homes and increasing housing options across Fife. This includes raising awareness of empty homes, supporting owners to take action, and linking activity with wider priorities such as housing regeneration, improving neighbourhoods and reducing environmental impact. By bringing properties back into use, the service also contributes to improving community safety and making better use of existing housing stock.

In 2025/26, 118 long-term empty homes were successfully returned to use, significantly exceeding the target of 70. This included 10 properties purchased by Fife Council and brought back into use as affordable social housing. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of the service and the impact of sustained partnership working in addressing housing need across Fife.

A range of approaches are being used to support continued progress. Following the launch of the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership Matchmaker Scheme in December 2025, more owners are now able to advertise empty properties for sale, helping connect them with buyers who can refurbish and bring them back into use. Locally, this has already supported the transformation of previously derelict properties into homes, helping to improve neighbourhoods and increase housing availability.

The service is also exploring innovative approaches to meet wider housing needs. This includes a pilot project to bring up to five empty homes back into use to support young people experiencing homelessness, providing both safe, affordable accommodation and opportunities to develop independent living skills.

This work directly supports the Plan for Fife priorities of tackling poverty and preventing crisis, alongside community wealth building and economic recovery. It also contributes to the ambition of ensuring everyone has access to affordable housing. By increasing housing supply, reducing empty properties and supporting vulnerable groups, the service is helping to create more sustainable and resilient communities across Fife.

Looking ahead, the Empty Homes Service will continue to build on this progress by promoting its support to homeowners, strengthening partnerships and increasing targets for the year ahead. This ongoing focus will help bring more empty homes back into use, reduce housing pressures and ensure that more people across Fife have access to safe and affordable places to live.