The scandal of empty homes in Tower Hamlets
April 7, 2010 3:56 PM
Originally published by Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrats
Originally published by Tower Hamlets Liberal Democrats
Liberal Democrats in Tower Hamlets today called the 2,692 empty properties in the Borough a massive wasted resource for overcrowded families and young couples wishing to start their own families. Libdems have called on the Council to take faster action against owners and investors to make sure that empty homes are put to use housing local people.
Councillor Stephanie Eaton commented "With 23,000 people on the housing waiting list, we cannot afford to have even one home empty in Tower Hamlets - The number of empty homes is a scandal. We should put pressure on owners and investors to ensure they do not leave housing vacant for months at a time. There are people and families who need those homes."
The Guardian newspaper investigation on vacant properties, based on Freedom of Information Act 2000 requests to UK local authorities, estimates that more than 450,000 properties have been empty for at least six months and that, in London, Tower Hamlets has the highest number of empty homes, at 2,692, followed by Hackney (2,566) and Westminster (2,445), while the City of London has the lowest number at 28. The paper says that its study suggests that the number of "long term vacant" properties is 25% higher than previously estimated.
Guardian 5 April 2010 pp22-23
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