The funding will be spent on refurbishment in areas where empty properties have commonly led to problems such as squatting, rat infestation and collapsing house prices, driving remaining residents away.

Communities minister Don Foster  said: “The government is doing everything possible to tackle the problem of empty homes and urban blight.

“This will bring people, shops and jobs back to once abandoned areas, and provide extra affordable homes we so badly need.”

The funding is being allocated under two programmes. Some £61m is from the second round of the empty homes funding programme.

Around two thirds of this (£41 million) is allocated by the Homes and Communities Agency to registered social landlords; and the remaining money to community and voluntary groups.

The second tranche, representing £30m, is funding for 20 partnerships in areas of acute problems such as Liverpool, Manchester, Newcastle and Middlesbrough, which will bring around 3,500 homes back into use.

Andy Rose, chief executive of the Homes and Communities Agency said: “We had a very encouraging response to the funding across a wide range of types of property. This demonstrates a strong appetite and scope for bringing empty homes and properties back into use, which will help to reinvigorate our communities and towns.”

The government said £33m of the empty homes programme funding will go to the North of England, with a further £11m for the Midlands.