Coalition calls for a national empty homes strategy

A coalition of 25 housing bodies has written to Housing Minister Matthew Pennycook, calling for a national plan to return more than 300,000 empty homes in England to use.

The alliance, brought together by social impact fund manager Resonance, spans charities, investors and council leadership.

Among the signatories are Shelter, Big Issue, Refuge, Women’s Aid and The Empty Homes Network.

In its letter, the group labels the government’s current direction as a ‘missed opportunity’ in tackling housing demand.

It says refurbishing the 309,000 dwellings recorded as long-term empty would add supply more quickly than development alone.

Help house families

Adam Cliff, the secretary of the Empty Homes Network, said: “With over 300,000 homes sitting stagnant while thousands of families remain trapped in unsuitable temporary accommodation, we are overlooking a ready-made solution to the housing crisis.

“We’re asking the government to stop looking the other way and give local councils the funding and authority they need to turn these properties back into real homes for local people.”

Resonance’s chief executive, Daniel Brewer, added: “The quickest and most sustainable way to house those in need is to unlock the potential of the buildings we already have.

“By implementing a National Empty Homes Strategy, the government can create a pathway for social investment to flow into local communities, de-risking the refurbishment of empty stock and creating social housing at a fraction of the cost, and carbon footprint, of new builds.”

Cost-efficient route

The coalition states that reactivating vacant stock represents one of the most cost-efficient routes to increasing available housing.

It adds that doing so will help the government achieve its bid to build 1.5m new homes.

Signatories also point to the homes being used to help vulnerable households, including those facing homelessness and domestic abuse survivors.

Refurbishment would also boost employment, along with delivering environmental gains.

Funding to help buy

The coalition wants the government to give councils a funded statutory duty to investigate empty home complaints and intervene where necessary.

Funding would be helped with a national loan scheme and a council tax premium on empty homes could be ringfenced for housing delivery.

Stamp duty incentives could be used for buyers converting empty homes into social housing or supported accommodation.

It would also help tackle the rising temporary accommodation bill facing councils.