Tools to Deal with Vacant Housing

The document titled "Tools to Deal with Vacant Housing" was published by Housing Europe, a federation representing public, cooperative, and social housing across Europe. The authors, including Dara Turnbull, highlight the complex issue of housing vacancy, which can stem from various local factors such as market conditions, ownership structures, and housing policies. The aim is to propose a range of tools to effectively bring vacant homes back into use.

Housing vacancy is defined and measured in various ways across Europe, often leading to challenges in assessing the situation accurately. Common reasons for residential properties remaining vacant include oversupply in local markets, economic decline, and personal circumstances. It's crucial for policymakers to distinguish between involuntary vacancies—where owners wish to sell or rent but are unable—and voluntary vacancies, where owners choose to keep properties vacant.

The negative impacts of vacant properties are significant, affecting market conditions, community well-being, and environmental sustainability. Addressing vacancy not only helps to stabilize housing markets but also enhances social indicators such as health and safety. The document emphasizes that dealing with vacant homes can lead to better utilization of existing housing stock, reducing the need for new construction.

The report discusses various grants, subsidies, and support mechanisms aimed at encouraging property owners to rehabilitate vacant homes. These include public loans, tax reliefs, and grants that can help owners financially manage renovations. Importantly, these supportive measures should be carefully designed to avoid creating perverse incentives that might encourage further vacancies.

In addition to supportive measures, the document outlines dissuasive strategies such as fines and increased tax liabilities for property owners who do not utilize their vacant homes. These measures aim to make the cost of holding vacant properties outweigh any potential benefits, thus incentivizing owners to either rent or sell their homes. Various European regions have implemented such measures, with varying degrees of success.

District renovation is highlighted as a promising approach to tackle vacancy, particularly in areas with clusters of vacant properties. This method aims not only to address individual housing units but also to improve the overall community by enhancing local infrastructure and services. Case studies from Europe demonstrate the effectiveness of collaborative efforts involving various stakeholders, including local authorities and housing associations.

The report concludes with a set of recommendations for policymakers, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of local housing markets and the motivations behind property vacancies. It advocates for well-targeted policies that consider the specific contexts of different communities and the importance of preserving local heritage while addressing housing shortages. The document serves as a comprehensive guide for stakeholders looking to implement effective strategies for dealing with vacant housing across Europe.