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.

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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)