Cash is up for grabs to turn empty York properties into new homes - and help cut the housing waiting list.

The deal is being offered "risk free" to owners of unused property to encourage them to transform them into rented accommodation for council tenants.

The aim is to breathe new residential life into the city centre and bring down the housing waiting list, which is currently more than 4,000 names long.

City of York Council is offering money and advice in conjunction with housing associations in the city.

Margaret Smith, regional director of the Home Housing Association, said: "People are often very nervous about renting out their property. We will organise the whole thing, from designing work to be done, employing contractors to carry it out and dealing with the tenants.

"If there are any difficulties then we will sort them out. "People often have very valid fears about renting out their property but we will take the worries off their shoulders."

The first beneficiaries of the scheme, four new homes in Rougier Street, were unveiled yesterday.

A grant for £9,000 was provided to renovate two flats and two houses next to a sandwich shop.

Coun Viv Kind, chairwoman of the council's housing committee, said: "Bringing empty homes on to the market helps meet the urgent need for city centre homes, renovates and restores properties, and gives the owners a regular income - no-one loses out.

"The new homes in Rougier Street are an excellent example of how new affordable homes can be created at the same time as helping to revitalise the city centre."

Deputy council leader Dave Merrett: "This sort of project helps to bring people back to the city centre, which improves security and makes it less deserted at night. We want to eliminate difficulties that make people reluctant to rent their unused properties out."

The Rougier street properties are in a Grade II listed building that was in a poor condition before work was done to renovate it. Working with its owner, Bayford Thrust, the city council and Home Housing will be leasing it out for ten years to provide affordable homes for people on the York waiting list.

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