Big Issue founder urges Andy Burnham to give councils stronger powers to buy-up empty homes

Lord John Bird, the founder of The Big Issue, has called on Andy Burnham, the incoming prime minister, to grant local authorities greater authority to acquire or rent vacant properties in order to alleviate the growing homelessness crisis. This appeal comes amid reports that over one million families remain on waiting lists for social housing, with record numbers of children living in temporary accommodations such as bed-and-breakfasts. Bird, a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, argued that the current system fails to address the urgent need for affordable housing. He proposed a government-backed loan scheme designed to enable councils to lease or purchase empty homes, which could then be renovated and converted into social housing units. According to Bird, this initiative would create thousands of new homes and significantly ease the strain on the housing market. In a statement published in The Daily Mirror, Bird emphasized that the incoming government had a unique opportunity to demonstrate its commitment to solving the homelessness issue. He stated that the government should consider innovative measures to ensure that unused properties are repurposed for the benefit of vulnerable communities. “This incoming government must think differently if it wants to find long-term solutions to the problems we face,” he said. Bird’s proposal includes amendments to the Social Housing Bill currently under consideration in the House of Lords. These changes aim to shorten the qualifying period for Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) from two years to just six months. This adjustment would allow local authorities to take action sooner, preventing properties from remaining unoccupied for extended periods. It is estimated that around 300,000 homes in England have remained vacant for more than six months. The charity Shelter reported that over 1.3 million households are still waiting for social housing, highlighting the severity of the situation. Bird’s plan would provide councils with the financial support needed to secure these properties before they can be rehabilitated. The loan scheme would reportedly cover the costs associated with purchasing or leasing the homes, ensuring that resources are directed toward creating much-needed housing rather than temporary fixes. Burnham, who has consistently highlighted the housing crisis as a key priority, has already outlined plans for a large-scale council house-building program during recent speeches. In one such address, he described the nation as being trapped within a housing crisis, noting that there are nearly 1.5 million fewer council homes today compared to the 1980s. This decline is attributed to the impact of Margaret Thatcher’s Right to Buy policy, which led to a dramatic reduction in publicly owned housing stock. As the new government prepares to take office, the debate over how best to address the housing shortage continues to gain momentum. With Bird’s proposals gaining traction, the focus is shifting towards practical solutions that could offer immediate relief to those in need. The success of such initiatives will depend on the willingness of policymakers to implement bold and effective strategies aimed at transforming the landscape of social housing in England.