Action plan targets empty properties to house the homeless

Around 500 empty properties will be allocated to housing homeless people in a push to reduce numbers of rough sleepers in London.

The plan was announced last week by London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan and follows a manifesto pledge made in 2024 that promised to end rough sleeping in the capital by 2030.

The proposal will focus on using funds from central government to refurbish vacant properties owned by local authorities or housing associations.

Sir Sadiq told The London Standard: “What we are saying to councils, registered social providers is: if you have a property that is not fit for use, it’s in bad condition, let us take it over. The Government has given us £17m. That will help us refurbish these properties, and we can put in these properties those with complex needs.”

The project would also end the requirement for people to be sleeping on the streets before they can access support.

Councillor Grace Williams, London Councils’ deputy chair and executive member for Housing and Regeneration, added: “Nobody should have to sleep rough in London. Boroughs are committed to ending rough sleeping in the capital and this action plan is an important step towards achieving that goal.”

In Scotland, meanwhile, the Scottish Greens have called on the Scottish Government to grant local authorities additional compulsory purchase powers to bring empty homes back into use.

The Greens’ proposal will be included as an amendment to the Housing Bill, which is currently before the Scottish Parliament.

Scottish Green MSP Maggie Chapman said additional action was urgently needed to transform thousands of vacant properties and derelict plots of land across the nation.

She added: “These amendments are about making significant changes to the housing inequality which blights Scotland and putting homes back into the hands of people that need them.”

Scotland currently has almost 32,000 homes classified as long-term empties (vacant for six months or more).