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17/02/2009
Empty properties and long social housing lists is "indefensible" |
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The Empty Homes Agency has criticised the government for the lack of social housing, despite the hundreds of thousands of empty properties.
Henry Oliver, policy advisor at the organisation, claims England has witnessed the highest jump in the number of empty homes for 17 years, so it is "morally pretty indefensible" to have so many people on social housing waiting lists.
Mr Oliver states that it is important to remember that people on these lists are not necessarily homeless but are merely "people who have expressed an interest in a council house or a housing association property".
Nevertheless, he suggests that there is a "huge opportunity" to tackle the problem of empty properties and long waiting lists.
Government figures show that the number of empty homes in England during 2008 was 697,000, up from 672,000 in 2007. Consequently, 3.1 per cent of all properties in England are empty. |
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