Haringey Liberal Democrats are supporting a campaign focusing on the unacceptable numbers of empty properties across London. London Week of Action on Empty Homes (9th July 2007 – 13th July 2007) encourages residents in Haringey to report vacant property to a hotline number and urges Local Authorities, private owners, and others to take positive action to bring empty property back into use. Latest figures show there are 3,260 empty homes in Haringey and 1,275 of those have been empty for more than six months.

Lib Dems highlight the crippling shortage of housing in Haringey that blights the lives of so many entering the borough and for those who have to live in sub-standard or overcrowded housing. Lib Dems seek to encourage the Labour-run Haringey Council to consider taking firm action to encourage landlords to repair properties for these to be let and used.

Cllr Catherine Harris, Lib Dem Housing Spokesperson comments:

“Haringey is experiencing a chronic shortage of housing. It is a crying shame that people throughout the borough are experiencing overcrowded and sub-standard accommodation whilst houses lie empty. I hope Haringey Council will consider taking action to encourage landlords to repair and let out empty properties as soon as possible, so that those in housing need can be assisted.”

Lynne Featherstone, MP for Hornsey and Wood Green, adds:

“This is a shocking statistic given the horrendous local waiting list and thousands of families waiting to be homed. Haringey needs to pull its finger out and do all that it feasibly can to bring these urgently needed homes back into use.”