S6Ep5: Why are social homes sitting empty while waiting lists grow?

from On the Air · host paula palmer, John Wickenden, Housemark, Paul malone, Charlie Bessant, Moving soon

In this episode of On the Air, Paula is joined by John Wickenden from Housemark, Paul Malone from Moving Soon and Charlie Bessant from Stonewater to explore why empty homes are rarely as simple as they appear. Together, they unpack the complex reality behind voids, looking at the many stages involved. The discussion highlights how fragmented systems, resource pressures and changing regulations can all add time to the process, even when everyone involved is focused on getting homes ready as quickly as possible. The episode also looks to the longer-term decisions that shape how empty homes are managed. John, Paul and also explore why some properties may be harder to let, why perceptions of empty homes do not always reflect ownership or viability, and how reinvestment, modern methods of construction, repurposing existing buildings and more joined-up sector thinking could all help respond to growing demand for social housing.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jun 30, 2026

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What this episode covers

Across England, thousands of social homes remain vacant, even as housing waiting lists stretch for years. With some people waiting over a decade for a home, why is the sector struggling to bring empty properties back into use? This episode explores the voids challenge in social housing, looking at what’s causing delays, how providers can speed up the process, and how strategic decisions about assets shape what happens to empty homes.