Publications and Research

Government data shows over 216,000 properties in England have stood empty for more than six months. We analyse official data and research effective solutions, producing the only comprehensive analysis.

Latest Publications

You can download our latest publications here. These include our new report 'Empty Homes in England 2019' published 23rd September 2019 and the final report on our three-year programme of work with community housing providers 'Community action on empty homes - Using empty homes to regenerate communities' (published May 2019).

The first phase report on this programme is also available entitled 'Community-based approaches in areas with high levels of empty homes'.

Empty Homes in England - a comprehensive analysis of the empty homes problem is England:

Each year we publish a Report entitled Empty Homes in England. This is the only comprehensive independent analysis of Government's annual figures on empty homes. The 2019 edition is published on Monday 23rd September 2019 and will be available here for free download.

For the latest analysis of new figures as Government publishes these, see our media releases, here

You can read ComRes polling of MPs views about empty homes and the national housing crisis here

Types of publications:

We produce four types of publications:

1) Campaign publications which advocate for policy responses to end the waste of empty homes, for example: the work of the Coalition for Community Investment

2) Research and analysis on the empty homes issue, for example ‘Empty Homes: Why do some areas have higher levels’

Or 'Affordable homes from empty commercial spaces'.

3) Our annual analysis of official Government data on empty homes, 'Empty Homes in England' - new edition published 23rd September 2019

2019 edition out September 2019: For the latest official data on local authorities in England click here

4) Project reports on practical solutions to the problem of empty homes such as 'Community action on empty homes - Using empty homes to regenerate communities'. and 'Community-based approaches in areas with high levels of empty homes'.

Current publications:

Media enquiries:

For comment on our research or further information on the waste of empty homes, the solutions and our campaigns please click here - you can also access recent press releases and contact details via this link

Latest

London Housing Campaigners Meeting: Evidence and impacts of 'Buy-to-Leave' in London

Oct 17th evening campaign meeting for local housing activists on 'buy to leave' and wealth investment in London residential property
Empty Homes England 2019 is available now

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
National Empty Homes Week 2019 Sept 23rd - 29th

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
Great Places Commission Report seeks investment and end to auction disposals of Social Homes

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.

What we do

Action on Empty Homes campaigns for empty homes to be brought into use for people in housing need. We raise awareness, campaign for policy change, provide advice and research and develop ideas to help bring empty homes into use
Accessibility
Meet the team

Our staff team and Board of Trustees work closely together to ensure that Action on Empty Homes campaigns for change in the most effective way.
The solutions

We believe in community-led action to tackle empty homes, encouraged by active local authorities to support grassroots initiatives, underpinned by a government investment strategy to bring long-term empties back into use.
Empty Homes England 2019 is available now

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
Support Action on Empty Homes

We rely on support from individuals and grant funders. Want to support us? Then click the donate box at the top of the page.
Publications and Research

We produce four types of publications: Campaign publications advocating policy responses to end the waste of empty homes Reports on active programmes to bring empty homes into use Research and analysis of the empty homes issue. Our annual Empty Homes England report, the only comprehensive annual analysis of official data
Current Projects

We are developing a toolkit for community-led empty homes projects and working on tackling wealth investor ‘buy to leave’ in London. We are also building a national coalition to call for government investment in empty homes.
Privacy Policy

Privacy policy – last updated 1 May 2019
Why empty homes matter

There are over 216,000 homes long-term empty when England needs over 300,000 additional homes each year. Bringing long-term empty homes back into use will also help rebuild neighbourhoods and make environmental sense.