Councils are invited to apply for the scheme, aimed at bringing back into use clusters of empty homes that can often attract anti-social behaviour, vandalism and fly-tipping to neighbourhoods, said Stunell.
The Government has pledged £50m, but Councils who apply for the scheme must match the funding they receive, bringing the total investment to £100m. Every successful bid must have strong local support and aim to bring at least 100 homes back into use, Stunell said.
There are more than 700,000 empty homes across the country, the Government said, and around 280,000 of which are unused and under-maintained for six months or more.
Since the introduction of the New Homes Bonus the number of long term empty homes has been reduced by nearly 38,000 since October 2009, with rewards to local authorities of £64m as a result.
The Government is targeting areas that have clusters of empty homes that have good market prospects, such as access to transport links, but require intensive refurbishment to return them to a liveable standard.
"I want my ambition to be matched by the communities that apply for this cash injection, with local people backing locally-led efforts to bring at least 100 empty homes in their area back into use. And in addition, these areas will receive further financial recognition for their efforts through the New Homes Bonus," said Stunell.
The New Homes Bonus scheme is a Government initiative under which the Government provides additional funding or a 'bonus' for new homes and empty properties that are bought back into use. The Government match funds the additional council tax that is raised for the following six years. There is an additional amount for affordable homes.
The Homes and Communities Agency will administer the "Clusters of Empty Homes Programme". It will conduct an initial assessment against set criteria and a shortlist of successful bidders will then be invited to submit more detailed applications by the end of April 2012.
Interested Councils can express interest for the scheme via an application form.
