In Scotland 558 private empty homes were brought back into use last year, double the number for 2013.
The Scottish Empty Homes Partnership (SEHP) estimates the value of those homes is £93 million.
Run by Shelter Scotland and funded by the Scottish Government, the partnership supported local authority empty homes officers to bring the homes back into use.
Since its launch in 2010, the partnership has helped to restore almost 1,000 empty properties across Scotland into homes again, either for sale, rent or owner occupation.
However there are still 27,000 long-term private empty homes in Scotland while 150,500 families and individuals are on council house waiting lists.
Graeme Brown, Director of Shelter Scotland, said: “Bringing Scotland’s empty homes back into use represents great value for money but it also provides homes to families and individuals who would otherwise struggle to afford a home of their own, or would be forced into expensive private rents.
“Not only has the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership helped 558 families and individuals realise their dream of a home, empty homes work across Scotland has assisted the owners of these properties to make the most of their assets, while regenerating local communities and neighbourhoods.”
Scottish Government Communities Minister, Marco Biagi MSP, said: “We want communities across Scotland to thrive and meet the needs of residents, businesses and visitors.
“Bringing empty homes back into use is an important part of this vision and it’s vital to make the best possible use of these properties.”
