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| Empty home numbers 'on increase' | Empty home numbers 'on increase' |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| The number of empty homes in England is increasing because of the downturn in the housing market and a sharp rise in repossessions, a charity has warned. | |
| The Empty Homes Agency is urging the public to report homes left vacant for long periods so it can inform councils, which can bring them back into use. | The Empty Homes Agency is urging the public to report homes left vacant for long periods so it can inform councils, which can bring them back into use. |
| Councils have the power to take empty houses over and rent them out. | |
| There are more than 750,000 empty homes in England, half of which have been unoccupied for more than six months. | There are more than 750,000 empty homes in England, half of which have been unoccupied for more than six months. |
| In addition to the housing slump, the agency blames the rise on an oversupply of newly-built flats in some city centres and stalled housing regeneration projects. | In addition to the housing slump, the agency blames the rise on an oversupply of newly-built flats in some city centres and stalled housing regeneration projects. |
| Social housing | Social housing |
| David Ireland, the charity's chief executive, said: "At the very time people need more homes, record numbers are falling empty. | David Ireland, the charity's chief executive, said: "At the very time people need more homes, record numbers are falling empty. |
| "There are now enough vacant homes in England to house almost two million people, yet far more attention is paid to building new ones. | |
| "Councils have the power to step in and help, but can't do so unless they know where they are and won't unless they know people care." | |
| If everybody who is affected by this growing problem reported just one empty home it would provide a huge impetus David Ireland, Empty Homes Agency | If everybody who is affected by this growing problem reported just one empty home it would provide a huge impetus David Ireland, Empty Homes Agency |
| Under the 2004 Housing Act, councils can take over homes left empty without good reason for more than six months and rent them out for social housing. | Under the 2004 Housing Act, councils can take over homes left empty without good reason for more than six months and rent them out for social housing. |
| The agency has set up a website where people can report rundown, empty homes. | The agency has set up a website where people can report rundown, empty homes. |
| It will automatically report the property to the local council which can take action and will provide updates until the property is back in use. | It will automatically report the property to the local council which can take action and will provide updates until the property is back in use. |
| Mr Ireland said: "If everybody who is affected by this growing problem reported just one empty home it would provide a huge impetus and send a huge message to government and councils that action is needed now." | Mr Ireland said: "If everybody who is affected by this growing problem reported just one empty home it would provide a huge impetus and send a huge message to government and councils that action is needed now." |
| Figures from the rest of the UK show there are 78,000 vacant homes in Scotland, 50,000 in Northern Ireland and the same number again in Wales. | Figures from the rest of the UK show there are 78,000 vacant homes in Scotland, 50,000 in Northern Ireland and the same number again in Wales. |
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