Repurposing Empty Spaces: Research to Address the Housing Crisis
A new piece of research, conducted by The Empty Homes Network on behalf of Habitat for Humanity Great Britain, aims to explore and understand the current opportunities available in reutilising socially-owned vacant buildings and spaces, for use as accommodation for those at risk of homelessness across England, Wales and Scotland. It also aims to provide an understanding of opportunities to help address the current social housing supply and demand across England, Scotland and Wales. The research has been supported by the Empty Spaces to Homes Coalition, including: M&G plc , the Laudes Foundation, Kingfisher PLC, Blackstone and Lloyds Banking Group.
Local authorities have more empty buildings than in 2021, and more opportunity to create social homes
Research Highlights
- Commercial vacancy is rising across the UK: The estimated number of vacant local authority-owned properties rose from 6,324 to 8,242, indicating growing volumes of underused public assets, particularly in retail, office, and leisure sectors.
- Opportunities presented by vacant spaces to create housing increases: Over 25,000 new homes could be created across the UK by converting vacant local authority-owned offices and shops, highlighting the untapped potential for local authorities to take an active lead in tackling the housing crisis.
- Beyond local authority-owned assets, in England alone recent data suggests there are around 175,000 privately owned empty non-residential buildings which may have the potential for over 500,000 homes.
Full 2025 Report
The full 2025 research report includes a wider assessment of the state of the housing crisis in Great Britain, an analysis of the challenges and opportunities in each region, and examples of best practice. To receive view and download it click below:
Click to downloadBecome a Research Partner
Habitat for Humanity Great Britain works with academics and sector professionals to build knowledge and understanding of the housing crisis and the most effective solutions to tackling it. If you’d like to partner with us to develop new research in support of this mission, please contact our Empty Spaces to Homes Programme team, at: es2h@habitatforhumanity.org.uk
