Empty homes on the decline

Posted: 03 Dec 2007 12:18:12 GMT

The number of empty homes fell between April 2003 and the same month in 2006.

The number of empty homes fell between April 2003 and the same month in 2006.

That is according to combined research from Halifax and the Department for Communities and Local Government.

According to the joint study, there was a six per cent fall in the number of empty homes in that time.

It comes at the beginning of the Empty Homes National Week of Action, which runs from December 3rd to December 7th.

Commenting on the figures, Martin Ellis from Halifax said that some areas have a higher percentage of empty homes than others.

"It is encouraging that the number of empty homes in England has fallen by nearly 20,000 over the past three years, but it is also notable that the problem has become worse in many areas with the highest number of empty homes," he commented.

"Rising property prices encourage the rejuvenation of empty homes in many parts of England. However, it is clear that intervention is also necessary," added Mr Ellis.

The government recently announced plans to build three million new homes by 2020, with all new builds being carbon-neutral from 2016 onwards.

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