AEH Explainer: What the latest data tells us
Long-term empty homes (those empty longer than 6 months)
The latest housing data released by Government and analysed by Action on Empty Homes highlights a troubling trend: long-term empty homes continue to rise, whilst homelessness and the number of families stuck in overcrowded temporary accommodation surge.
Over 265,061 homes now stand empty long-term—a rise of one-third since the national empty homes program ended in 2016.
Vacancy rates are highest in regions with significant homelessness, such as the South East (up 6% to over 36,000), the Eastern Region (up 8% to 28,000), and London (up 6% to over 38,000).
All categories of empty homes are rising
What’s more, the data shows that other categories of empties are rising faster – overall vacancy rose to a staggering 998,784 – a figure which excludes those repurposed properties now used as Airbnbs paying business rates (which accounts for around an additional 100,000 properties). The official second homes category (defined as furnished but unoccupied properties) rose by a whopping 16,500 (or 6%) to 280,000 with particularly big rises in regions in the East and West Midlands (both up 13%) and the North West - where second home numbers rose by 11%. This means that a drop in long-term vacants was virtually cancelled out by the huge increase in empty so-called second homes.
Areas of note
Specific areas saw extreme increases. Haringey, London, is a particularly interesting case. Two years ago it reported no empty homes.…though this was because the borough had decided not to count them at all. Following pressure from AEH and local activists to track these numbers it has now discovered it has 1,500, meaning 1 in every 30 homes are empty.
The largest percentage rise in second homes was a rise of nearly 1000% in Newcastle under Lyme, while Wandsworth in London came next with a 144% rise - possibly reflecting the council's new leadership having a more robust approach to determining actual use of housing.
The biggest rise in long-term empties was in Kingston upon Thames up a massive 152% to nearly 2,000 while the borough also saw a rise of 34% in second homes leaving one home in every 24 out of residential use long-term.
Increases in housing supply doesn’t always mean increases in homes
Overall housing supply in the council data saw 213,366 MORE dwellings between October 2023 and October 2024. While this puts the 300,000 annual house build targets into perspective, it is also notable that this is a total AFTER demolitions and losses to Airbnb conversions.
All of this underlines why we desperately need to bring more empties into use and to retrofit as we do so to produce healthier, more affordable, greener homes fast - while targeting this supply to alleviating homelessness as Action on Empty Homes, Crisis, and Shelter have all proposed as a result of collaborative work on the issue.
Rebecca Moore, Director Action on Empty Homes:
“Each year, more families are left in inadequate temporary housing while more homes sit empty. This cannot continue under a new government. It’s shocking to see such increases, especially in London, where homelessness is rampant.
“With over 117,000 families, including 151,000 children, in temporary accommodation costing the country £2 billion annually, a new national empty homes program is overdue. Action on Empty Homes, Crisis, and Shelter are united in calling for a strategic approach to bring empty homes back into use, alleviating homelessness rapidly.
“Retrofitting empty homes is faster, cheaper, and greener than new builds. It’s an opportunity to create affordable, energy-efficient housing and boost local skills. The government must respond with funding and incentives to bring these homes back into use. Homeless families can’t wait ten years for new developments—they need homes in their communities now.”