Empty properties are a 'significant problem' as demand for housing continues to increase

PARTNERSHIP SAYS THERE WERE 828 VACANT HOMES IN BOSTON BOROUGH IN 2024

- BY OLIVER CASTLE Local Democracy Reporter

TWO councils are considering ways to get empty homes back into use after some councillors labelled it a “really significant” problem which needs to be addressed.

Members of Boston Borough Council and East Lindsey District Council discussed a draft empty homes policy by the South and East Lincolnshire Councils Partnership which covers East Lindsey, Boston and South Holland.

It aims to ‘improve housing standards, deliver affordable housing’ and reduce crime and antisocial behaviour. The draft policy will set out a framework for the district councils to prioritise empty homes which have been left vacant for more than six months.

It will also consider factors including the condition of the property, the impact on the neighbourhood, antisocial behaviour and local housing demand. The draft policy will also be considered by South Holland District Council at a later date.

The South and East Lincolnshire Partnership said there were 2,847 vacant homes in East Lindsey in 2024 (four per cent of properties in the district) - up from 2,429 properties in 2020. The partnership said that there were 828 vacant homes in Boston in 2024 (three per cent of homes in the borough) - up from 170 in 2020.