Funding to bring Gwynedd's empty homes back into use will now be available to all eligible buyers.

The Empty Homes Grant Scheme was only previously available to first-time buyers, but Cyngor Gwynedd says it's expanding the concept to support more local residents.

Applicants can now seek grants of up to £20,000 - an increase from £15,000 to reflect price rises in goods and services.

The £4 million scheme, funded by the council tax premium on second homes, has already helped 170 residents revive empty properties.

Gethin Jones, who bought a home in Chwilog near Pwllheli, was among those who secured a grant from the council.

He said: "We are looking forward to settling down in our home here in Chwilog and start a new chapter as a family with a baby on the way."

"The Empty Homes Grant has helped us complete essential repairs to the house, such as installing new windows, rebuilding the chimney and electrical work, much more quickly than we would have been able to do on our own, and have the place ready for us as a family."

"Without the grant, we wouldn't be where we are now, that's for sure! It means we can carry on working on the house and make it a home for years to come."

"The house had been empty for over a year before we moved in, and the former owner, a local woman, really wanted to sell it to local people. We both grew up close to Chwilog and it means a lot to us to be able to stay close to our families and raise our child in an area we know and love.'"

The grants scheme was launched in 2021, before being expanded in August 2023 to include empty homes that used to be second homes.

Recent figures suggest the number of second homes has fallen by 5% in the past year, after council tax premiums rose from 100% to 150%.

It's one of 33 projects in the council's £140 million Housing Action Plan to ensure Gwynedd residents have access to affordable homes.

The council is also offering VAT reductions on renovating empty homes, along with Welsh Government loans and a leasing scheme for landlords.

Cllr Craig ab Iago, cabinet member for housing, said: "There are almost 5,400 empty houses in the county at the moment, including second homes, which is a stark contrast to the fact that almost 900 people presented themselves as homeless in Gwynedd during the last year."

"It’s completely immoral that so many homes in Gwynedd are empty when the demand for housing is so high and this intervention, along with other measures in the council's housing action plan, is crucial to safeguarding the future of our communities."

"We have listened to the people of Gwynedd - more and more people need our support, whether they are first time buyers or a family in dire need of a bigger house. Prices have also risen since we launched the scheme in 2021, and we have adapted to reflect this reality by increasing the grant that is offered."

"I would encourage anyone looking to buy an empty house or a former second home to look at the council's website for more details or contact the council's empty homes team for a chat."