Westminster Council is addressing the issue of over 11,000 vacant properties in the borough while spending £140 million on temporary accommodation for homeless families. The council is advocating for legislative changes to allow it to seize homes that have been empty for more than six months. It highlights that around 34,400, or a quarter, of residential properties in Westminster lack full-time residents, contributing to the housing crisis. The situation is particularly severe in affluent areas like the West End and Knightsbridge. Adam Hug, the council leader, emphasizes the need for immediate action to utilize these empty homes effectively.
Westminster council leader Adam Hug emphasized that the presence of long-term empty homes is unjustifiable, particularly when taxpayer funds are being used for temporary accommodation for the homeless.
The council's demand to the Government involves updating laws to enable them to issue Empty Management Dwelling Orders, aimed at taking control of properties unoccupied for over six months.
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