THERE is a desperate need in Huddersfield – and across the country – for more affordable housing.

So it’s good news that empty homes in Kirklees are to be renovated and leased as affordable housing under a new scheme by Deighton-based social enterprise Fresh Horizons.

Organisations such as these will be a Godsend to so many in the years to come as home ownership gets further out of reach for people trying to afford to get on the housing ladder.

There were 3,505 long-term empty properties in Kirklees in December. They are, quite literally, a waste of space.

Let’s get as many as possible back into action and it’s a win-win situation as the refurbishments will boost employment, especially for apprentices.

Fresh Horizons is a social enterprise which is run as a business and reinvests any profits into the community.

It began with two employees in 2002 but now employs nearly 70 people – and most have been recruited from the local community.

It’s a classic example of a good news story.