A £6million fund will be set up to acquire empty homes using compulsory purchase orders (CPOs) or through Empty Dwelling Management Orders, both of which will increase the number of homes in Haringey and provide a diverse range of housing choices to meet local need.

The number of official empty homes in Haringey has risen to 1,188 and this is a huge waste with thousands of people in housing need.

Long-term empty homes often blight neighbourhoods due to disrepair, attract crime and vandalism and can create nuisance for neighbouring properties.

As a result of this Haringey Council have refreshed their empty homes policy. It aims to bring every empty home back into use through advice & guidance to empty home owners. Those who fail to voluntarily return their home back in to use may be subject to an Empty Dwelling Management Order (EDMOs).

EDMOs permit a local authority to take possession – but not ownership – of a property for up to seven years and install tenants in it.

If the owner of empty homes cannot be traced, or they are unwilling to work in bringing the property back into use, the council will not hesitate to use the range of enforcement powers available to them  including enforced sale and CPOs.

The council has published plans to top up its existing £1million CPO fund with an extra £5million in next year’s budget, so it can forcibly buy up unused properties.

Cllr Joseph Ejiofor, Leader of Haringey Council, said:

“This council is committed to bringing empty homes back into use as quickly as possible. Furthermore, Haringey is tackling the housing crisis with a genuine commitment to building homes in our borough for those who need it most.

“After decades without new council homes, we have made strong progress in the past two years, beginning work on 331 homes and identifying potential building sites for even more housing in every single ward in the borough.

“We have also put stringent measures in place to free-up unoccupied properties in Haringey to ensure much-needed housing is made available to our residents. We have taken a tough stance on this and will continue to do so.”