New Government data reveals Southwark has most long-term vacant properties in London

With 2,422 long-term vacant properties as of 3^rd October 2022, Southwark is also 7^th worst out of the 803 local authorities who provided data.

Since Labour took charge of Southwark Council in 2010, the amount of long-term vacant properties has increased by 794. The new Government data also confirms there are 2437 fewer council homes in total than when Labour took office

A property is classed a ‘long-term vacant’ when t has been empty for over six months and is ‘largely unfurnished’.

Further government data has shown that Southwark only built 191 affordable homes in the previous year, the 10^th lowest of any borough in London.

Additionally, Southwark only completed 73 social rent homes last year.

As of 1^st February this year, Southwark had 17,509 households waiting for council homes.

Commenting, Southwark Liberal Democrat Leader of the Opposition Cllr Victor Chamberlain said:

“Southwark Labour loves to boast about their record on housing. However, these latest government statistics make it all too clear that it is just spin and not the action we desperately need. The council is performing worse than any other London borough whilst 17,000 household are languishing on waiting lists for council homes that are just getting longer under Labour.

Unfortunately, the construction of social rent and affordable properties remains far too slow to address these issues properly. It’s time Labour admitted they are failing Southwark and not building genuinely affordable homes for local people. We must demand better and a new approach with radical policies to provide homes for those on the waiting list.”