The North West has the highest number of empty homes in the country according to NHF

March 20, 2018

A new report from the National Housing Federation published yesterday 19th March 2018 reveals that one fifth of  empty homes in England,  just under 40,000 homes, are in the North West.

The North West has the highest number of empty homes in the country and has the same number of empty homes as the North East and Yorkshire and Humber combined. The new statistics come from the North West Home Truths 2017/18 report, which publishes annual data on the region’s housing trends.

Ciaran Tully, the National Housing Federation’s External Affairs Manager for the North West, said:

“It can’t be right to leave property empty when so many are desperate for a place to live. Empty properties in some areas are having a profound impact on local markets and those who need housing.

“What we need is a genuine commitment to ensuring good quality affordable housing is available at the right price, in the right places and for the right people.

“Building homes not only creates jobs, but also supports jobs in housing associations once they are built and adds money to the local economy from residents’ spending.

“Housing associations are doing just this but we now need the backing of key local partners to help us build in the right places, free up planning and help us to deliver the types of affordable housing needed most.

“With this support we can not only ramp up supply, but also begin vital regeneration projects, enhance infrastructure and bring empty homes back into use.”

Read the NHF report ‘One Fifth of England’s empty homes in North West’ in full click here.

The North East has seen a rise of around 500 empty homes since 2013, a 3% increase reveals NHF.

According to Home Truths, the North East doesn’t have a housing shortage like other areas of the country but instead much of the housing stock that does exist isn’t suitable and therefore ends up abandoned or empty. It might be in need of renovation, or located in areas of economic decline, lacking in transport links or with few jobs.

Monica Burns, the National Housing Federation’s External Affairs Manager for the North East, said:

“It can’t be right to leave property empty when so many are desperate for a place to live. Empty properties in some areas are having a profound impact on local markets and those who need housing.

“Building homes not only creates jobs, but also supports jobs in housing associations once they are built and adds money to the local economy from residents’ spending.

“We now need the backing of key local partners to help us build in the right places, free up land and help us deliver the types of affordable housing needed most. With this support we can not only ramp up supply, but also begin vital regeneration projects, enhance infrastructure and bring empty homes back into use.”

Read the NHF report ‘Empty homes on the rise again in the North East’ in full click here.

Allen Walkey

Highly experienced businessman with a successful career in property sales and investment both in the UK and abroad. Now a freelance writer and blogger for the property and Investment Industry, keeping readers up-to-date with changes and events in a rapidly changing world.

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