YMCA Adapt Your Property Grant

YMCA Tayside secured a £50,000 Adapt Your Property grant from Perth & Kinross Council to support the redevelopment of two long-vacant and derelict buildings in the heart of Perth’s Conservation Area.

The funding award was part of a wider £7 million fundraising project and contributed to the transformation of a former Grade C listed church and an adjacent tenement into a vibrant community hub and urgently needed accommodation for vulnerable young people.

The Adapt Your Property grant is part of the Council’s ongoing effort to boost economic growth and improve the appeal of city and town centres.

It provides up to 50% of the cost of repurposing commercial properties, with a maximum award of £75,000. The initiative prioritises projects that enhance the local economy, improve the townscape, and deliver wider community benefit; all of which are at the heart of YMCA’s vision.

The £7 million project has resulted in a modern, multifunctional Y Centre, offering flexible space for skills development, youth work, and community use. The adjacent tenement is also undergoing restoration to provide seven flats for their users.

Jill McGrath, CEO of YMCA Tayside, commented, “The Adapt Your Property grant contributed significantly to the conversion of an underused space into something that directly supports young people and in turn, the wider community in Perth and Kinross.

“The Y Centre will become a cornerstone of youth support in Perth and a beacon of regeneration in the city centre.”

By repurposing these buildings, the YMCA project not only addresses local social needs but also contributes to the wider ambitions of placemaking and economic renewal outlined in the Perth City Plan.

To find out more about the Adapt Your Property Grant, including how to apply, visit:  investinperth.co.uk/business-support/funding

Adapt Your Property Grant

Perth and Kinross Council encourages empty buildings in our city and town centres to be brought back into use for economic and socially productive purposes. To support development and financial viability, the Council provides grant funding towards the costs of capital repair and conversion works.

Grants of up to £75,000 (or 50% of the costs, whichever is the lesser) are available to support the conversion of underused or vacant town and city centre commercial space for new commercial, community or residential uses.

Who can apply?

Applications can be submitted by property owners and tenants (with at least 5 years unexpired term on their lease). This can include business owners, local or national constituted groups, charities and constituted community or voluntary organisations.

As the funding is aimed at overcoming increased costs associated with dilapidated and historic buildings, applications will only be considered if a funding deficit and a gap in the project viability are clearly demonstrated. Projects where a developer's profit is expected to be generated and would be financially feasible without additional funding will be rejected.

What kind of projects are we looking to support?

Priority for support will be given to projects which demonstrate how they will contribute to:

• Local economy and business in our city and town centres
• Local placemaking and townscape
• Delivering wider community benefit

How much would the grant be?

A grant of up to £75,000 (or 50% of the costs whichever is the lesser) for alterations, improvements to single properties is available, and level of grant will be assessed based on need for intervention to overcome gaps in project viability.

At least 50% match funding from the applicant is required. For example, an application for a grant of £25,000 will have an overall total project cost of at least £50,000. The whole project can be of any size and there is no defined maximum project cost.

If your lease is between 5 and 20 years, the maximum grant you're able to apply for is £24,999.

Eligible costs include capital cost of the property conversion together with reasonable professional fees which are directly incurred in respect of the project concerned can also be claimed. In addition, unrecoverable VAT can also be included in the claim. All costs must be based on a QS report, fee proposal or construction tender.

What projects are eligible?

• Property must have been vacant or underused for a minimum of 12 months prior to the date of the application for grant.
• Property must be located within Perth and Kinross Geographic boundary. Projects within the city and town centres and those which have significant placemaking impact will be prioritised for support (for example, ground floor properties on main streets are more likely to supported than an upper floor project).
• Property must be below the necessary standard and be unlikely to be brought back into use without the proposed repair or conversion works being undertaken.
• All necessary property and regulatory consents must be secured (confirmed in writing prior to grant award).
• Retrospective applications for works already undertaken or started are not eligible and will not be considered.

How To Apply

Applications will be considered once the closing date has been reached. Fund closing dates and a link to Perth and Kinross Council's application portal can be found on our Vacant Property Development page. 

View the Adapt Your Property Fund Guidance for 2025 to 2026.

Additional information can be obtained by emailing [email protected].