Long term empty properties rise above 10,000 in Kent & Medway

It’s nothing short of scandalous.

More than 10,000 homes in Kent & Medway remained empty and were classified as long term vacant dwellings in 2020. In the previous year there were 8,787 long term vacant dwellings, which means the percentage increase for dwelling remain empty long term has risen by 18.25%

No district has been immune to a rise in empty dwellings.

Gravesham has seen the largest increase of 59.80% or 122 homes and Sevenoaks the smallest rise of 0.93% or just 4 homes.

These empty homes – which are both privately owned (the majority), and council owned (the minority), could easily eradicate the waiting lists of at least 5 councils, yet after many years of progress in reducing the numbers empty, the figures show conclusively that the trend for both those on the housing waiting lists and long term vacant empty properties in Kent are well and truly on the rise again.

The Shepway Vox Team

Dissent is NOT a Crime