Julian Ware-Lane has just posted some very interesting figures on the number of empty homes in South Essex.
For example, in 2008 in Rochford District there were 492 private homes empty for more than 6 months. The corresponding figure for Southend was 1391.
If these figures could be reduced, would that mean we would need fewer new homes to be built?
The full stats for the Eastern region are here.
Is it possible for housing associations to put a bid in on properties that are not being used?
I wonder why these homes that are empty for more than six months are not rented out?
Surely it would make more sense to let these properties and make the demand for building new estates less pressing?