Number of empty homes in London continues to rise
The number of empty homes in London rose by 81 per cent between 2016-2025, from 58,096 in 2016 to 105,138 in 2025.1
Similarly, the number of long-term empty homes in London has increased by 138 per cent during the same time, rising from 19,845 homes in 2016 to 47,287 in 2025.2
Considering the year-on-year changes during this period, between 2024 and 2025, the number of long-term empty properties in London increased by 23 per cent.3
At the same time, London faces a housing and housebuilding crisis, with London boroughs now spending £5.5m a day on temporary accommodation.4
The London Assembly Housing Committee will meet tomorrow to understand why the number of empty homes in London has increased, and what work is being done by the Mayor and the Greater London Authority (GLA) to combat this.
Guests include:
- Tom Copley, Deputy Mayor for Housing and Residential Development
- Dr Jonathan Bourne, Honorary Research Fellow, Centre for Advanced Spatial Analysis, University College London
- Hannah Brown, Head of Housing Strategy, GLA
- Wells Chomutare, Managing Director South, Peabody
The meeting will take place in the Chamber at City Hall on Tuesday 7 July 2026 at 10am.
Media and members of the public are invited to attend.
The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.
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Notes to editors
- MHCLG, Table 615: vacant dwellings by local authority district: England, from 2004, November 2025.
- MHCLG, Table 615: vacant dwellings by local authority district: England, from 2004, November 2025.
- MHCLG, Table 615: vacant dwellings by local authority district: England, from 2004, November 2025.
- https://www.londoncouncils.gov.uk/news-and-press-releases/2025/ps740m-black-hole-londons-temporary-accommodation-crisis-draining
- Lord Bailey of Paddington AM, Chairman of the Housing Committee, is available for interview.
- Find out more about the work of the Housing Committee.
- Read the agenda in full.
- As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.
For more information, please contact Daniel Zikmund in the Assembly Media Office on 07860647577 or [email protected]. For out of hours media enquiries please call 020 7983 4000 and ask for the Assembly duty press officer.