A £60million 'rescue' package to tackle the capital's empty homes problem was announced by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, to help deliver his manifesto commitment to reduce long-term empty homes to 1% of London's total housing stock.

The funding will focus on bringing long term abandoned properties, derelict buildings and listed buildings at risk back into residential use to provide much-needed affordable homes. In doing so it will benefit neighbourhoods by tackling properties that have become an eyesore and a magnet for anti-social behaviour.


An audit of London's dilapidated and abandoned buildings will also be commissioned to draw attention to the worst properties and encourage action to be taken against them.

Mayor Johnson said: "It is an absurdity that so many properties are empty in London when families are languishing on council housing waiting lists desperately hoping for a home. Empty properties cannot be left to rot and blight local neighbourhoods. I am determined to bring back many more into use to provide the affordable homes Londoners need, particularly if this can also help protect London's rich architectural heritage."

(CD/JM)