Since taking over the management of 27,000 council tenancies Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing has achieved a 40 per cent reduction in the number of homes standing empty.
In April 2002, more than 1,200 homes remained unoccupied but by April this year, the new organisation had brought the figure down to 702.
Empty homes are also being repaired and re-let quicker and, on average, are now taking five fewer days to turn round than previously. Closer working between area housing teams and the council's building services repairs teams have helped achieve this quick turnround.
This performance also provides a financial bonus to Kirklees tenants as an extra £400,000 has been brought in over the last year due to extra rent being received through more homes being occupied.
KNH Chief Executive Simon Rogers said: "The performance achieved by our area housing teams in bringing down the level of empty homes has been truly outstanding and has exceeded the targets we had set for them."
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