The number of empty homes in Portsmouth has decreased in the last year, while numbers have risen nationally.
According to data from Action on Empty Homes, the number of long‑term empty homes in Portsmouth fell by 4% last year, bringing 40 homes back into use. This is in contrast to a 14% increase nationally and a 17% rise regionally.
This statistic highlights the positive impact of work that Portsmouth residents are doing, supported by Portsmouth City Council, to reduce empty homes in the city and bring them back into use for people that need them.
There are around 904 empty homes in Portsmouth. If empty homes can be re-used, that doesn’t just increase the amount of available housing. It can also improve neighbourhoods and earn owners money if they rent or sell.
Cllr Darren Sanders, Cabinet Member for Housing and Tackling Homelessness, said:
“I’m really encouraged by the continued progress being made to reduce the number of empty homes in the city.In a place with limited space like Portsmouth, bringing empty properties back into use is vital. I’d urge anyone who is concerned about an empty home, or who owns a property they’d like help to return to use, to contact the team.”
Cllr Sanders also recently approved the council’s empty homes strategy for 2025 – 2030.
One of the actions outlined in the strategy involves supporting homeowners to bring empty homes back into use, working to increase housing supply.
The council is also investing in homes for people who need temporary accommodation alongside building more homes for residents.
If you own a property that is currently empty, the council can provide support to bring it back into use. Get in touch with the housing team by calling 023 9268 8369 or emailing psh@portsmouthcc.gov.uk. You can also report an empty property in your neighbourhood through the council’s website.
National Empty Homes Week takes place Monday 9 to Sunday 15 March 2026 and focuses on bringing wasted empty homes back into use and addressing properties that negatively impact communities.