ABANDONED, derelict and unused buildings have been brought back to life.

A total of 133 properties across Bromley, Bexley, Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark, have been revamped helping to provide homes for families and revitalising communities according to an announcement by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

Across London, more than 1,700 buildings have already been brought back into use.

Through his London Housing Strategy, the Mayor plans to bring at least 3,000 empty homes back into use.

Funding has been trebled to £60m and so far £39.9m has been released to boroughs around London with the focus on bringing long-term unused, derelict and listed buildings at risk back into residential use.

The Mayor said: “Empty homes are not only a waste of resources but also a travesty for the communities in the south east region of London.

“They devalue neighbouring properties and for the people living near them they act as a magnet for crime.”

For more information about the Mayor’s housing strategy visit, london.gov.uk/housing