The UK Housing Crisis

The Scale of the Problem

The UK faces a severe housing crisis affecting millions of people:

Key Statistics

• Empty homes: Over 600,000 in England, 250,000+ long-term empty
• Homelessness: Rising rough sleeping and hidden homelessness
• Affordability: Average house prices 8-10x average earnings
• Private rents: Consuming 30-50%+ of income in many areas
• Social housing: 1.2 million+ households on waiting lists

Empty Homes Paradox

While people struggle to find housing, hundreds of thousands of homes stand empty:

Why Homes Stay Empty

• Investment properties held for capital gain
• Properties in probate or legal disputes
• Awaiting development or renovation
• Second homes and holiday properties
• Properties in poor condition
• Absent or unknown owners

Council Powers

Local authorities have powers to address empty homes through empty property regulations, including council tax premiums and Empty Dwelling Management Orders.

Affordability Crisis

Buying a Home

• First-time buyers face high deposit requirements
• Mortgage costs consuming larger share of income
• Geographic inequality - London especially affected
• Generational wealth gaps widening

Renting

• Private rents rising faster than wages
• Competition for properties intense in many areas
• Security of tenure concerns
• Quality issues in some rental stock

Alternative Solutions

Various approaches attempt to address the crisis:

Property Guardianship

Property guardianship offers more affordable housing while protecting empty buildings. Not a solution to the crisis, but an option for some.

Housing Cooperatives

Community-owned housing providing long-term affordable homes outside market pressures.

Community Land Trusts

Community ownership of land to keep housing affordable in perpetuity.

Empty Homes Initiatives

Programmes to bring empty properties back into use through grants, advice, and enforcement.

Social Housing

Calls for increased social housing building to meet demand.

Further Reading