Residents are calling for action on empty houses that have become a 'blight' on Manchester's streets. At least 1,000 empty homes exist across the city, according to Manchester council, which has launched a new appeal to tackle the issue.
Neighbourhood Impact
Neighbours in Whalley Range said a property on Park Drive has been 'neglected' for years. Aimee, 27, a resident, said: "It's a bit of an eyesore and blight on the area. I would say it could affect house prices. Someone would just look at it and think it's too much effort. It's always better to have them back in use with the housing crisis we've got, but rents are getting high, it can be £900 a month for a flat in this area."
Another 71-year-old resident, who did not want to give their name, added: "It's been empty for quite a while, there was a divorced couple and both have died, and sadly the house has fallen into disrepair. People who look at it might think it's a neglected house, but that's not the experience of people in this estate who are caring and look after their properties. I would like to see it brought back to use, we know there's a housing crisis and there are families that need more houses."
Another Empty Property
Around the corner on Clarendon Road, another home appeared to be empty. A nearby neighbour named Sam said the house is owned by his uncle who was 'too busy' to speak about it. Sam said: "It's been empty for about ten years, there's no valid reason for it, it was just family circumstances. There's been no impact on the area, but recently people have been noticing the broken windows. The council got on to him about it so he's sorting it out now."
Council's Response
Manchester council said it is trying to bring as many long-term empty homes back into use as possible. A report at its recent cabinet meeting revealed that there are currently more than 400 'active cases' of empty homes which the council is trying to bring back into use. It has launched an appeal for residents to report empty properties so it can take action. This can be done on the 'Help with Empty homes' section of the council website.
Councillor Gavin White, lead on housing matters in Manchester, said: "For more than a decade the council has worked across the city on long-term interventions to tackle empty homes and open up housing for those that need it most. And while we have achieved lots in that time, bringing empty homes down to a record low, those that remain represent some of the most stubborn – homes that have a complex history and often impact neighbourhoods most. The new and expanded empty homes team have done some great work since November 2024 to bring nearly 600 homes back into use all across the city. To think, if we could bring all empty homes back into use, then we could provide more homes for those on the housing register and take pressure off the whole housing system. The potential of making empty homes a thing of the past is huge for Manchester families looking for a place to call home – and a significant part of tackling the housing crisis. One of our first lines of defence is local intelligence. That's residents keeping an eye out in their own neighbourhoods and quickly reporting a home they think is empty. We are really keen to hear from you. We can help to remove a blight from your street. It's never just a property – it could be a lifeline home for someone in need."
According to Manchester Move, there are currently more than 20,000 people on the city's housing register, with 'extremely high demand' for social housing.
