‘Empty homes emergency’ to be discussed at upcoming conference

A new conference looking at one of the most pressing housing challenges in the UK takes place next week.

There is an estimated 700,000 empty homes nationwide, and around 265,000 classified by the Government as long-term empty (vacant for over six months). The Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) Tackling Empty Homes Conference, supported by Action on Empty Homes, will explore how bringing these properties back into use can help meet housing needs and revitalise communities.

The event, taking place online on Wednesday, 10 December, will kick off with a session on the ‘Empty homes emergency – responses to a growing crisis’ delivered by Dr Henry Dawson, a member of CIEH’s Housing Advisory Panel and Senior Lecturer and Programme Director for Environmental Health at Cardiff Metropolitan University.

He will be giving insights on Empty Dwelling Management Orders (EDMOs) and the framework and enforcement tools available to those working in this area.

Chris Bailey, National Campaigns Manager at Action on Empty Homes, will be speaking at the conference on understanding data gaps and policy responses to vacant homes, while Sam Bloomer, Policy Officer at Shelter, will be delivering a talk on tackling empty homes to fast track social rent delivery.

The future of property guardianship and its role as a possible new housing solution will also be looked at in a session led by Graham Sievers, Chairman of the Property Guardian Providers Association (PGPA).

The half-day conference will be rounded off with two sessions of insights from a Local Authority perspective.

Claudia Bowring, Empty Homes Officer at Rushcliffe Borough Council, will be speaking on the topic of ‘Why are we building homes when so many are standing empty?’, before Tom Davies, Principal Project Officer at Kent County Council, will be talking about his authority’s ‘No Use Empty’ initiative.

Nikki Pearson, Head of Conferences and Membership Engagement at CIEH, said:

“We’ve put together a packed programme for our new CIEH Tackling Empty Homes Conference featuring leading experts, practical insights, and innovative approaches to one of the country’s most urgent housing challenges.

“This conference is a unique opportunity for professionals to share knowledge and explore solutions on how empty homes can be brought back into use and help form part of the answer to the housing crisis. The event is open to both members and non-members and is sure to be an event not to be missed for anyone with an interest in this area.”

For the full programme and to book a place visit: https://www.cieh.org/events/2025/december/cieh-tackling-empty-homes-conference/