Why empty homes matter

There are too many homes lying empty

Latest Government data shows that over 216,000 homes in England have been empty for over six months. In all, over 600,000 homes are currently vacant.

Leaving homes empty is a waste

We believe that we cannot afford to waste such properties. England needs over 300,000 additional homes each year.

Bringing empty homes into use helps neighbourhoods

There are neighbourhoods with clusters of empty homes. Tackling empty homes in these areas should be part of wider neighbourhood initiatives that start from the perspective of the issues people face there.

It makes environmental sense

Creating homes from empty properties saves substantial amounts of material compared to building new homes, minimises the amount of land used for development and avoids wasting embedded carbon; helping to combat climate change.

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.