The majority of the public believe councils should do more to bring empty homes back into use rather than building new houses, according to new research.
The research, published by Callcredit Information Group, showed that 58% of the public think regeneration and the transformation of empty properties are the best way to tackle the housing crisis. This is compared to 26% saying new housing is the best way to address the housing shortage.
A quarter of those surveyed said more social housing was the best way to reduce the number of households on waiting lists, with 17% calling for more affordable rented housing.
Andrew Davis, Director of public sector, Callcredit Information Group said: ‘For local authorities to be able to serve their areas more effectively they need to get beneath the real needs of the consumer.
‘It is interesting the views that our research is highlighting and provides a deeper understanding to what consumers believe are the housing issues in their local area and what they would prefer to be done to overcome these.’
The research also showed a north south divide when it came to delivering more social housing, with 36% of those in Scotland strongly desiring it compared to 23% in London.
