2531 Empty Homes in Southwark – which still has not used Empty Homes Powers

• Latest statistics show 2531 empty homes in Southwark
• FOI reveals Southwark has not used Empty Homes powers in at least 7 years
• Lib Dems say inaction is “shameful” as 17,500 stuck on social housing waiting list

Southwark, which has been branded the “empty homes capital”, has 2531 empty homes, latest government statistics released this week (13 November) has revealed.  

According to a Freedom of Information request from the Liberal Democrats, the Labour-run local authority has still not used Empty Homes Management Orders or Compulsory Purchase Orders – powers which can be used to take over management or directly purchase homes that are long term empty.  

The Liberal Democrats had previously slammed the council, saying it had overseen it become the “empty homes capital”, after it was revealed that it had more empty council homes than the whole of the North West combined.  

This comes as the demolition of Maydew house – a 144 home council block in Bermondsey, is finally set to be demolished after it stood empty for almost 10 years, and had £15 million spent on its maintenance whilst it was empty. 

The Liberal Democrats say that every lever necessary should be pulled to ensure that there is as much housing supply as possible, and have slammed the council for its failure to make use of empty homes whilst homelessness and social housing need continues to rise. 

Commenting, Liberal Democrat Group Leader Councillor Victor Chamberlain said:

“It cannot be right for so many homes to sit empty in our borough, which is England’s capital of the housing crisis, whilst so many are desperate for a safe and affordable home. It’s genuinely shameful that a Labour council has failed to act to bring these homes into use. Labour now have all levers of power at local, London, and government level – so they no longer have any excuses.”