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Government pushed to fill empty homes

Tuesday, 23 December 2008 6:53 PM

The government is being pushed to invest in the UK's empty homes to combat the UK homelessness crisis. 

In total there are 1.6 million households on council housing waiting lists, and 72,130 are facing homelessness and temporary accommodation this Christmas. 

However, there are 762,635 empty homes. 

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (Rics) is calling on the government to cut the VAT on renovation and repairs to encourage owners to make properties suitable for sale or rent. 

The body claims not only would the tax cut help create housing, it could provide a supply boost in high demand areas and prevent some areas from tipping into urban decline through regeneration. 

Rics policy officer James Rowlands said: "As people spend Christmas at home with their families they should spare a thought for the many people who are homeless and in temporary accommodation at this time of year. 

"Thousands of homes should not be allowed to stand empty while people are homeless or suffering from poor living conditions." 

Rics is also calling for the government to encourage local councils to issue Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMO) on properties that have been vacant for six months or longer.

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