Calls for Empty Homes Duty to Be Made Statutory

Contributors to the Homes and Communities Agency’s empty homes online debate have called for empty homes to be made a statutory responsibility for local councils and for those brought back into use to be scored as ‘new units’.
There was a consensus that owners should be discouraged from leaving homes empty through taxation incentives and there should be a dedicated funding stream as part of the Big Society bank to enable people to renovate empty properties. Contributors believe the Government’s Big Society agenda will play an important role in increasing the provision of affordable housing and that improved partnership working between the public, private and civic sectors should be the linchpin to help build social capital. Funding featured heavily and many participants suggested that homes brought back into use should attract New Homes Bonus. Many agreed that although a number of local authorities have developed innovative and practical solutions to tackle empty homes, greater support should be given to sharing this knowledge, expertise and experience across the sector. Download a summary of the discussion from the HCA website by clicking on the logo below.