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100,000 homes empty in London, says charity
Felix Allen24.11.08
LONDON councils were today urged to end the "scandal" of nearly 100,000 homes lying empty while thousands of families struggle to find accommodation.
The credit crunch, soaring repossessions and a glut of new-build flats have been blamed for an increase in the number of vacant properties, which campaigners say should be used to ease the housing shortage.
More than 330,000 households are on local authority waiting lists in London, according to the National Housing Federation.
Today The Empty Homes Agency is calling on all London boroughs to step up their action to tackle the housing crisis.
Chief executive David Ireland said: "At the very time people need more homes, record numbers are falling empty. There are now enough vacant homes in England to house almost two million people, yet far more attention is paid to building new ones.
"Councils have the power to step in and help, but can't do so unless they know where they are and won't unless they know people care."
The charity wants neighbours to report run-down and empty homes to its website - reportemptyhomes.com - which automatically informs councils. Local authorities have powers under the 2004 Housing Act to seize homes left unoccupied without good reason and rent them out as social housing.
The latest government figures show London had 84,596 empty homes in October last year, around 2.7 per cent of the total housing stock and enough for more than 200,000 people. Of those, around 17,000 are owned by councils, housing associations and other public bodies.
The Empty Homes Agency's research suggests the figure is likely to have risen "significantly" in the last year because of the downturn in the housing market.
As well as the sharp rise in repossessions, both large and small scale regeneration and refurbishment projects have stalled because of the credit crunch, meaning more homes are falling empty and staying empty, the charity said.
Examples it cites include 78 empty houses owned by the Department for Transport and Enfield council on a stretch of the North Circular. They were compulsorily purchased in the Seventies for a road widening scheme that never happened. Many are derelict.
More than 1,000 flats lie empty on the Ferrier estate in Kidbrooke. They are due to be demolished for redevelopment, but work has been delayed.
Mr Ireland told the Standard: "It's not simply that these houses are wasted. Empty homes are vulnerable to vandalism, arson and squatting and if you live next door you have no power to stop it.
"We need to make sure vacant properties are put to good use, which not only provides homes for people who need them most but also prevents the associated social problems. Action is needed now."
Last week Mayor Boris Johnson announced his draft £5billion housing strategy, including a £60million pledge to buy back or make more use of empty properties. Mr Ireland said the proposal was "unambitious" but a step in the right direction.
Mike Tuffrey, Lib Dem leader on the London Assembly, said: "It is a scandal that nearly 100,000 homes are empty when so many Londoners are on housing waiting lists. Mr Johnson and councils should be focusing their efforts on bringing these homes back into the rental sector as they offer by far the quickest route to helping families in need."
Reader views (9)
J Hill says, "I have submitted an extensive list of boarded up properties, derelict buildings and sites to the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames..."
Well, now you have the chance to *publicly* let them know via the new website. If embarrassing them into action is what it takes, then so be it.
- Tim Morley, Cambridge, UK
The theory is good - but what about the precedent? What's the first thing the local (and national) government does when it's given authority to do something that is for the common good? Why, they and every quango and organization in the system find ways of using it do do other things that suits their own various agendas!
It's that 'foot in the door' thing!
- Rogan, Irving
I have submitted an extensive list of boarded up properties, derelict buildings and sites to the London Borough of Richmond Upon Thames and the Empty Homes Agency but no one seems interested in bringing the properties back into use. For example, in my road, a three bedroomed house has been empty for a year because the price is too high and the company that owns it is in no rush to sell. Opposite this house is a Council owned area of land that I and other residents have turned into a green community space, with four mature trees, seven flowerbeds, wildlife and wildflower garden. LBRuT has decided this area is surplus to their requirements and intends to destroy it and squash three rented houses on the site. Although I support the need for affordable housing, surely TRULY surplus sites and empty properties should be utilised first, before destroying green spaces and amenities valued by local communities? If you agree, please support us.
- J Hill, Twickenham UK
... And how many of these homeless are scroungers, single mothers, layabouts, and foreigners claiming 'asylum'?
- Vince London, West London
And the government are pushing through plans to build thousands of new homes in Green Belt areas while all these properties are wasted.
It must suit someones agenda, property developers, politicians?
- Eric, London UK
Is the Blair's properties on this list? They have lots of rooms. I'm sure the Royals could house a few hundred around the country in various places. Sacrifices must be made..
- Trunk, US
It is little short of corruption that these homes remain empty. The GLA could raise its standing by in the eyes of the public by demanding that the Mayor takes action, sets targets, and summoning him to appear in front of them on a daily basis to report progress. Local councils should act rather than spend their energy blaming their predecessors. This should not be a party political game.
- Patrick Griffin, Dalston, London
Let's not forget also the empty shops scandal. In inner city areas, many landlords deliberately do not rent out so that they can pretend their shop is not viable and eventually get a profits bonanza with a conversion to retail. This leads to a decline in commercial and community activity at ground level and a retraction of public space. It is a contributory factor in creating broken communities which are breeding grounds for knife crime and anti-social behaviour.
Long live the Labour Government's policy of full rates on empty commercial properties!
- Reg, London
Given that these homes are lying empty this underscores the foolishness of those London councils who have housed homeless people or asylum seekers in the most expensive houses. This is inexcusable spending at a time of tight budgets for ordinary tax-payers and increases the sense of hostility to the welfare state and to refugees amongst working people who are struggling to survive financially.
- Danny, London
