A National Scandal: Empty Homes and the Housing Crisis

Everyone deserves a safe and secure place to call home. Yet in England today, a growing number of people struggle to access this basic need. While hundreds of thousands of properties sit empty, the housing crisis deepens.

A Growing Problem, a Missed Opportunity

But there's a glimmer of hope. Studies show that repurposing empty properties could create up to 40,000 affordable homes within four years. It wouldn't solve everything, but it would offer a lifeline to countless individuals on the brink of homelessness.

This is a wasted opportunity. No one should face homelessness when solutions exist. Families with children are crammed into single rooms, forced to prepare for work in drafty cars, or uprooted from jobs and support networks due to a lack of affordable options. The government's inaction on empty properties is unacceptable.

Long-term empty homes, vacant for over six months, have skyrocketed to over 248,000 – a 24% increase in just six years. This coincides with record numbers trapped in temporary housing, overflowing social housing waitlists, and rising homelessness. It's clear – action is necessary.

From Empty to Affordable: A Path Forward

Doubling council tax when a property has been empty for 12 months, rather than the current two years from 1 April will help. Councils will also be given new powers to introduce a tax premium on second homes in their area from next year.

Increased investment and support are crucial. Struggling local councils, stripped of social housing stock, need help transforming empty properties into affordable homes. The solution has precedent. The previous government's Empty Homes Programme successfully reduced empty properties by over 20%. However, these gains have been lost.

Beyond Empty Homes: A Multi-Pronged Approach

Repurposing empty properties is just one piece of the puzzle. Ending the housing benefit freeze is equally important. Without increased housing benefit to cover the cheapest rentals, low-income individuals will remain locked out of safe housing.

Furthermore, achieving the government's target of 90,000 new social homes per year is essential for long-term success.

A Call to Action

With housing insecurity and homelessness worsening, it's time for political parties to propose action in their forthcoming manifestos. Currently, homelessness is not a priority for any major party. Action is needed, not empty promises. Tackling the empty property scandal and prioritizing affordable housing is a clear starting point, one that all parties should embrace.

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