There is potential to use vacant historic buildings to increase housing supply

According to a report published by the Culture, Media and Sport Committee on 13^th July, 670,000 homes could be created through the reuse of vacant or under-used historic buildings.  The report cited international examples, including Italy’s €1 homes scheme and renovation tax incentives, which demonstrate how targeted interventions can bring vacant heritage assets back into productive use, supporting housing delivery and revitalising communities.  It called on the government to adopt a “reuse-first” approach, embedding this principle in policy across departments, and to develop a heritage-to-housing scheme for the UK that draws on lessons from overseas.