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Put homeless in empty houses, says Cameron
Paul Waugh13 Feb 2009
Nearly two million families on the housing list should be offered homes that are currently empty across the country, David Cameron declared today.
The Tory leader said Labour's restrictions on placing families in such accommodation should be torn up to reflect the increase in housing pressures during the recession.
There are more than a million empty homes in the UK, with many flats in city centres now abandoned following the collapse of the buy-to-let market.
Speaking at the launch of the new policy in Denmark Hill, south London, Mr Cameron said Government rules should be suspended to allow the 1.8 million families on the social housing waiting list to be placed in empty flats and houses.
He said some families are being made to live in temporary bedsits or hostels when there are adequate flats and houses vacant down the road.
In London, there are 353,130 on the housing list, and 82,327 empty homes.
Mr Cameron said: "At this incredibly difficult time, it is vital we focus resources on helping families and people struggling at the sharp end of this recession.
"But we must do so in a way consistent with the long-term economic and social changes Britain needs.
"That's why the Conservatives will temporarily relax Labour's stringent rules and regulations making it easier for the affordable housing sector to bring some of the one million empty homes into use.
"This will provide real help now to the two million families currently on the social housing waiting list, and the one hundred families that are having their home repossessed every day."
Mr Cameron said the policy would also help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour associated with empty housing, and prevent an over-correction in house prices by putting a floor in the housing market.
"These one million homes could provide one million opportunities. One million ways a family can keep warm over winter," he said.
"One million chances for a child to get the security and stability it needs. One million fresh starts for people and local communities. Let's make the most of them".
Reader views (14)
Val, Rather than play the blame game I think its more constructive to play get your facts correct first. The vast majority of social housing was not sold as such but was transferred to non profit housing associations. Due to the financial mismanagement of Labour during the 70's, Councils were unable to fund repairs and Britians social housing was left to rot and decay. The transfer of properties in our area to an HA has brought nothing but benefits. Rent money now gets plowed back into property maintenance rather parking meters or anything else the council would spend the money on. It nows means the council can concentrate on what they do best - nothing
- Chris, Rochester, 16/02/2009 08:54
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Dave has these occasional insights or perhaps he has just heard someone say it before because most of the housing charities have been saying this for MANY MANY YEARS !!!!
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford England, 15/02/2009 11:28
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I have dibs on a four bedroom flat in Kensington. Thanks David!
- Mike, Denver, USA, 15/02/2009 04:04
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My daughter waited two years for 3 bed council house for her and her three children while seeing asylum seekers/immigrants get the houses.
- Jan, London, 14/02/2009 13:30
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Does it ever occur to David Cameron that if his party had not sold council houses at giveaway prices we would not have 353,000 people on the housing list in London alone. Whatever the subject, whether it be the railways, social housing, disability allowance, the Tories caused these problems, now he has the audacity to pretend to know how to solve them. And while we are playing the blame game, it was the Conservative party who deregulated the financial services and the banks, and now we are all paying for that catastrophe as well. Got any more bright ideas, Mr Cameron?
- Val Daniels, Mijas Costa, Spain, 13/02/2009 21:20
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Cameron why don't you stop yapping and learn something. Most of the empty houses in London are so because of Council restrictions on them. Either on their proposed use, Planning requirement, Planning Demands, Legistation requirments, and so forth legistativly.
There are only a few properties which are kept empty because of economic needs. To differentiat between would take another army of civil servents to adminster the and check out the histories.
So Cameron do your research before you open your mouth.
- A Winsley, London, 13/02/2009 21:14
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Isabel London, I like your suggestion, but currently rent is higher than mortgage costs so they need to fall first to make economic sense to all concerned.
- Dave Davies, Basingstoke, 13/02/2009 17:47
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Can't we just send some of these people back to their own countries,this would surely help.
- David,Chertsey, Chertsey.UK., 13/02/2009 16:27
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David Cameron I am sure would compensate the property owners.
However in Britains situation radical thoughts are required and bringing a million properties into use is a move in the right direction.
To be honest I did not think he had it in him.
Lets hope theres more when he takes over from Gordon and Alistair the 2 clueless ex-commies.
- Alan, Llandrindod Wells, 13/02/2009 16:18
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homeowners facing morgage problems should stay in their houses and pay rent to the banks instead of leaving houses empty for months or years.
- Isabel, london, 13/02/2009 16:16
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Oh so property rights will just be brushed aside? Does Dim Dave realise that once these people are in these houses its likely they will never leave and the next step is that they will be given these houses? The legal precedents are there already. This is an open invitation to the feckless to get yet more handouts whilst the rest of us break our backs trying to pay for our homes and ever rising taxes. Utterly incredible that this idiot is leading the Tory Party.
- james ritchie, Oyster Bay Cove, NY, USA, 13/02/2009 15:19
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[edited by admin on February 13th 2009 at 15:42]
- Frank, Ex-Pat, 13/02/2009 15:07
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What is wrong with you Dave making a sensible suggestion like that. Could upset one of Browns worthless stunts to build trillions of council houses by 2010.
- albert hall, hove england, 13/02/2009 15:01
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Another mad political idea-what a way to lose votes or even his Leadership-better he hibernates until an election and leaves comments to those more experienced and with some sense for the Common People.
- Harvey Lawrence, london, 13/02/2009 13:39
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