1 million empty homes
(350,000 empty long term)
2 million families in need of a home
Celeb Supporters
You're in good company backing the empty homes campaign - celebrities and well-known figures from all walks of life are signing up to show their support for the campaign.
Will Young - Singer
"I fully support a project and desire to get as many empty and disused houses as possible occupied in an efficient, lawful and effective way"
Follow on TwitterCiaran Griffiths - Actor (Shameless)
"I live in south Manchester and am only too aware of how many empty homes there are in areas like Rusholme and Moss Side. I look forward to watching this campaign progress as I think it's vital we consider bringing empty homes back into use. There are too many families desperate for a decent place to call home and with no financial means to attain one, let alone the mindless waste of so many empty properties in itself. Young people need a chance to make something of their lives with the stability of a good home, not to have to live in disrepair or to have to move from temporary house to house over their youth."
Katie Piper - Campaigner and Presenter
"Wow that is insane! You do see a lot of boarded up houses but until seeing the campaign video I didn't realise the scale of the problem or the statistics!
I cant believe it adds up to a city the size of Leeds! There really is no excuses for it. The government need to do something about it and get people who are effectively homeless into those homes! I'm sure if more people where aware of the truth of the situation they would surely back it - I know I certainly do!"
Jimmy Doherty - Presenter and Farmer
"In this day and age and in a country like ours that is one of the developed nations, we should feel shameful that we have so many empty homes. Surely common sense needs to prevail."
Follow on TwitterGriff Rhys Jones - President of Civic Voice and Broadcaster
"The government is currently pressing for green belt land to be released for building and at the same time allowing or actively promoting the demolition of existing houses. Of course these houses should be used and opened to the homeless. Good luck with your campaign. Civic Voice is right behind you."
Laila Rouass - Actor
"I fully support the Property Scandal campaign, and strongly believe that all our efforts must be focused on solving this country's housing crisis. It is a disgrace that in 2012 homelessness still exists, and it is especially shocking given the number of houses that are currently lying empty when they could be turned into homes for those who so desperately need them. I work with councils in London to rent properties to the homeless, and know how easy it can be, so I urge everybody to sign up to George Clarke's Property Scandal campaign. Together we can stop this waste of empty homes, and provide a decent place to live for the thousands of people across the UK who need a place to call home".
Follow on TwitterDr Dawn Harper - Doctor and Presenter
"As a GP, I see first hand the devastating effect of homelessness on the emotional and physical well-being of families. Every boarded up window is a missed opportunity to build a home"
Follow on TwitterKevin McCloud
"There is an enormous number of people in the UK who are in need of adequate housing and whilst part of the solution is building decent homes for them we also need to make sure we make proper use of those properties that are just lying empty. If we don't it is just a pointless waste."
Follow on TwitterPhil Spencer
"I've seen just how hard life becomes if you're living on the streets or don't have a permanent home. It seems scandalous that we are letting thousands of empty properties go to waste when they could be used to help people back on their feet and give them somewhere secure to live."
Follow on TwitterMaxwell Hutchinson - Architect, Broadcaster and former President of RIBA
"In this age of economic hardship, austerity and acute housing shortage it is a national disgrace that we seem to have such blind indifference to the multitude of empty and neglected houses in our increasingly overcrowded country. Simple legislation could turn neglect and waste into new housing to be proud of."
Sean Hughes
"Having a home has to be one of our most basic needs. Having a good, safe home can give you the grounding you need to take on whatever life throws at you. Too many young people aren't getting a good start in life because they can't find a decent or stable place to live. This campaign is so important and we must continue to raise awareness of Britain's housing crisis."
Campbell Robb - CEO of Shelter
"With homelessness rising and millions priced out of the housing market, it is simply wrong that homes stand empty while people across the country are desperately in need of a roof over their head."
"Bringing empty homes back into use could help to ease our desperate shortage of housing, and George Clarke's empty homes programme will make a huge difference in highlighting the housing crisis we currently face."
Wayne Hemingway, MBE - Designer and Writer
"When my wife and I first got on the housing ladder in 1982 I did it by bringing a practically uninhabitable home back into use. We could do that because there was money available to help kick-start streets of abandoned homes back into life. Getting empty homes back into use isn't always easy but we're not doing enough as a country to make it happen. We need more innovative funding and more government support. At a time when we've got a growing housing shortage we can't afford not to."
David Ireland - CEO, Empty Homes Agency
"Nothing is more important for people's health and happiness than living in a decent home. For those without, seeing empty property going to waste must be painful and galling. I'm incredibly grateful to George for highlighting this important issue and fully support his campaign to turn more empty properties back into homes."
Follow on TwitterYou can join them. Add your voice to the campaign.
