National Empty Homes Week 15 – 21 Feb: Action on Empty Homes calls for Government action on escalating numbers of long-term empties . Numbers rose in 9 out of ten council areas. The 42,540 rise in 2020 was the fourth successive annual rise in numbers, but larger than the previous three years’ rises combined. Read more
National daily Metro put rising numbers of wasted empty homes in the context of the wider housing crisis and the plight of those at the sharp end. The paper spoke to us about how empties and homelessness are both rising. Read more
Government data released today shows a massive year on year rise of over 42,000 to a total of 268,385 long-term empty homes in England, as nearly 100,000 families languish in temporary accommodation. This is the biggest rise since current records began. Read more
Action on Empty Homes, the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and Prosper Australia, announce launch of the Global Empty Homes Network (GEHN). The three organizations, based in the UK, the US, and Australia will focus particularly on the mismatch between growing empty homes numbers and increasing housing need. Read more
This March, Action on Empty Homes is hosting London borough meetings to ask why the new high-rise blocks we see springing up all around us are not reducing the numbers in temporary accommodation? See info from the Camden, Haringey, Southwark and Hackney meetings Read more
The new Estatewatch website created by London Tenants Federation, Just Space and Prof Loretta Lees is live at at http://EstateWatch.London Read more
Landmark book from Rowland Atkinson a contributor to our 'Pretty Vacant' report. A history of London's property boom economy. A story of eager developers, sovereign wealth and grasping politicians. He argues the consequences are brutal expulsion of the urban poor, austerity, cuts, demolitions, and a catalogue of social injustices. Read more
Why is Haringey the only council in the country not submitting crucial housing data to the Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government? Read more
New report reveals why the next 500 high rise towers won’t end London’s housing crisis and the Government action needed. Read more
We call on Government to adopt a 3 Point ‘Empty Homes Coronavirus Action Plan’ to meet the Coronavirus National Emergency. Govt data shows 226,000 long-term empty homes, 253,000 second homes in England; and 100,000 Airbnb lets standing empty all over the country. While many health workers are desperate for accommodation near their workplaces. Read more
Our London housing project looks at 'buy to leave' and the impact of wealth investment in residential property. Raising critical questions over 100,000 London homes sucked out of residential supply, the role of Airbnb and so-called 'second homes'. Includes international survey of policy responses. Read more
Increase in long-term empties discredits rise in house building, says Action on Empty Homes, as London empty homes numbers rise to 25,000. Speculation mounts that unsold newbuild is contributing as Hounslow tops national figures with 158% rise. Read more
Oct 17th saw Action on Empty Homes hold a campaign meeting for local housing activists on 'buy to leave' and wealth investment in London residential property Read more
Our new annual report on the state of the empty homes problem in England reports the second consecutive annual increase in numbers to over 216,000 and the fastest rise in a decade Read more
This year the housing crisis has intensified as long-term empty homes numbers rose by nearly 11,000 to over 216,000 focusing public attention on the problem Read more
National Housing Federation's eagerly-anticipated report recommends how we create great places to live. Topping list are investment, national Landlords register, community assets and an end to auction sell-offs of social homes. Read more
Homes stand empty after housing associations reject new build homes that do not meet social housing space standards Read more
Bethnal Green home left empty for months while Peabody attempted auction sell-offs is now to house a homeless family after a successful campaign led by local activists and backed by Action on Empty Homes. Read more
In a story headlined 'Empty Promises' the Big Issue North reports on Bradford's 4,000 plus empty homes. While nearly 16,000 languish on council waiting lists and action has been taken on less than 100 Read more
Grisly discovery of body in Islington bin may show role of empty homes and poorly managed property in local social breakdown Read more
Agenda setting front page York article on near 50% rise in empty homes, as new administration takes shape at local council following May 2019 local elections Read more
Conservative candidate for London Mayor promises empties action Read more
News from the Netherlands on a proposal to ban buy to let Read more