Previously empty homes welcome new tenants in Thornaby

Five empty homes in Thornaby have been brought back into use and have welcomed new tenants, with 10 more set to be refurbished by 2026.

The houses have been redeveloped by North Star Housing as part of the wider £23.9million Thornaby Town Deal.

One of the key aims of the Town Deal and the Town Deal Board is to address the number of long-term vacant properties in the area.

And each of the redeveloped homes in the North Thornaby area had been empty for six months or longer.

Five homes have now been brought back into use since August 2024, with the most recent property completed in December 2024.

A further 10 properties are due to be refurbished by March 2026.

The work has been completed by North Star Housing in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Councillor Nigel Cooke, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Housing, said: "A key part of our work to regenerate town centres across the Borough is to boost the housing offer in the surrounding areas, so we're delighted to be working alongside North Star Housing to help make this possible in the North Thornaby area.

"The tenants have now moved into the first five properties and I hope they're enjoying their time in their newly-renovated homes.

"Of course, this also links in with the Council's wider drive to increase the number of affordable homes available around the Borough."

Emma Speight, Executive Director of Assets and Growth at North Star, said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council as part of the Thornaby Town Deal to purchase and refurbish empty properties in old Thornaby. 

"We have operated in the area for nearly 50 years and continue to see a great need for more affordable rented property. North Star's investment will go some way in addressing this demand by providing residents with 15 good quality and energy efficient homes."

Mark White CBE DL, Chair of Thornaby Town Deal Board, said: "We're bringing transformational change to Thornaby with a series of projects underway, such as the new leisure facility for Thornaby town centre and new cycling infrastructure, so the new tenants in the 15 homes will have much to look forward to.  

"Thank you to all of the Town Deal Board Members for their continued support to help make these changes possible."

Find out more information on the Thornaby Town Deal, the Town Deal Board and its members.