Empty Homes is a national campaigning charity Raising awareness of the waste of long-term empty homes. Researching, developing and working with others to test ideas for bringing empty homes back into use. Encouraging and advising those bringing empty homes back into use, or concerned about empty homes. We campaign for policy change and for initiatives at national and local levels to bring empty homes back into use for those in housing need. Each October we hold Empty Homes Week to showcase success and inspire change Why our work matters 1. There are still too many homes lying empty Government data shows over 200,000 homes have been empty for over six months. 2. Leaving homes empty is a waste England needs 240,000 to 245,000 additional homes a year to meet newly arising demand, nearly one third of these need to be at below market prices and rents. While there is clearly a need to build new homes, ignoring empty homes is a costly environmental mistake. Creating homes from empty property saves materials and minimises land use for development. 3. Bringing empty homes into use helps neighbourhoods Refurbishing and repairing empty homes helps improve areas look and feel. Derelict property attracts problems such as fly tipping, vandalism and arson. Some neighbourhoods have very high levels of empty homes. This may be linked to housing standards and other quality of life considerations in the area. Tackling empty homes in such areas should be part of wider neighbourhood initiatives that start from the perspective of the issues people face there. 4. Even where the will exists, bringing empty homes into use requires effort. Most people see the sense in turning empty properties into homes, but practical progress depends on governments, property owners, local authorities, community and housing organisations all being willing and able to take action. We make the case for action, come up with ideas that make a difference and campaign for their adoption.
