Empty Homes Deepen South West Housing Crisis

Figures unearthed by Torbay MP Adrian Sanders have shown that there are over 70,000 empty homes in the South West, with over 3,000 in Torbay alone.

With over 6,500 families on the housing list in Torbay, Adrian is calling on the Government and the Council to do more to ease homelessness and the wide range of problems that result and cost society considerably.

With almost half a million social homes being sold off in the last 10 years, and only 175,000 new ones built, the housing shortage is affecting those on low incomes the most.  Pensioners and low paid workers are finding it increasingly difficult to find suitable accommodation, especially if their housing needs change suddenly.

The Housing Act 2004 allows councils to utilise empty dwellings to ease homelessness through Empty Dwelling Management Orders.  These have not been widely used in the South West. 

Adrian is also advocating the abolition of VAT on rebuilding work, to encourage empty homes to be brought up to a good standard.  While Greenfield building developments pay 0% VAT, rebuilding and renovation incur 15% VAT.

Adrian and the Liberal Democrats are also calling on the Government to extend support for buying empty homes for social use.  Housing Minister Margaret Beckett has announced funding for around 5,500 home purchases nationwide but this total would not even house those on Torbay’s waiting list.

Adrian said: “The lack of suitable, affordable housing in Torbay is one of the biggest issues the area faces.  With good housing and infrastructure comes a better quality of life and a more productive economy.  The Government is wary of investing in this area but it has ignored the immense financial benefits reducing homelessness brings; poor housing leads to poor health, anti social behaviour, low aspirations and a poor sense of community.”

“There is so much that can be done to increase the housing supply without building on Greenfield sites.  Bringing even half of the empty homes in Torbay into use would be such a boost to so many families and would immensely benefit our local communities.  Good housing must be at the centre of national and local policies to tackle social deprivation.”

Adrian has now written to Housing Minister Margaret Beckett and Torbay Chief Executive Elizabeth Raikes, urging progress on this issue.