Eastleigh MP calls for review of empty homes as social housing

The new clause in the Social Housing Bill would mean the Housing Secretary must publish a review on using empty homes as social housing within six months of the Bill becoming law. The review would identify how many empty homes in England and Wales could be made available for use as social housing, and the potential merits and the challenges of introducing such a scheme.

“There are hundreds of thousands of empty homes across England and Wales, while many families wait years for a suitable and secure home, with many stuck in temporary accommodation,” said Ms Jarvis.

“Bringing empty homes back into use should be faster and more cost-effective than just building new homes, while helping to regenerate local communities. The number of empty homes has risen sharply in recent years. This review would give the Government the evidence it needs to act, and I hope it will receive support from across the House.”

As of October 2026, there were 303,000 empty homes, up 14 per cent from 2024 and 50 per cent more than in 2015.

On considering Ms Jarvis’s new clause on Tuesday 3rd November, the Committee voted two in favour and nine against. 

Reacting to the vote, Ms Jarvis noted:

“I am disappointed that the Committee did not support this amendment, but the case for it has not gone away. 

“With empty homes rising year after year and social housing waiting lists growing, this is too important an opportunity to miss. 

“The Liberal Democrats will retable the amendment at report stage, so that every MP has the chance to consider the practical step towards making better use of the homes we already have.”