£1m initiative to bring empty homes back into use across Southampton

Southampton City Council has unveiled plans for a new initiative aimed at bringing vacant properties back into use across the city, backed by a £1 million investment from its recently approved budget.

The forthcoming programme is designed to revitalise neighbourhoods, tackle antisocial behaviour linked to empty properties, and improve access to housing in Southampton.

Empty homes across the city can lead to a range of issues, including vandalism and antisocial behaviour, which can make communities feel less safe and welcoming. The council says bringing these properties back into occupation will help strengthen neighbourhoods while increasing the availability of housing.

The initiative forms part of the council’s new Housing Strategy, approved by Cabinet in January 2026, which will guide the authority’s approach to housing over the next five years.

The announcement also aligns with National Empty Homes Week, a nationwide campaign highlighting the scale of vacant properties across the UK and promoting ways to bring them back into use.

Four strands of the programme

The council’s initiative will focus on four main areas.

Firstly, the council will work directly with property owners, offering tailored guidance and support to help them restore empty homes.

Secondly, financial assistance may be available, with potential grants or loans to help owners fund renovation work and overcome barriers preventing properties from being occupied.

Thirdly, bringing empty homes back into use is expected to benefit the wider community by stimulating the local economy, strengthening social cohesion, and widening housing opportunities.

Finally, the initiative will also support environmental goals by encouraging the refurbishment of existing buildings rather than constructing new ones, reducing the environmental impact of development.

Council response

Andy Frampton, Cabinet Member for Housing at Southampton City Council, said the programme sends a clear message that long-term empty homes must be addressed.

He said:

“Empty homes are not just a scourge on our communities, they are a cost to the city, with the loss of council tax that everyone else pays. Most importantly however, an empty home could be a family’s home. Finally, this policy will send a message that as a city, we will not tolerate this any longer and that we are working to open up these empty properties.”

Retrofitting focus

The theme for 2026’s National Empty Homes Week focuses on retrofitting properties so they can be safely lived in again.

Retrofitting allows homes to be restored without the cost of building new properties from scratch and avoids much of the environmental impact associated with new development.

Reporting empty properties

Residents in Southampton are encouraged to report empty or derelict properties to the council so they can be assessed by the environmental health team.

Officials say early reporting can help prevent vacant homes from becoming hotspots for antisocial behaviour or posing health and safety risks.

Further information on reporting empty or derelict properties can be found by searching “empty or derelict property” on the council’s website.