According to new figures, the number of unoccupied homes in Mendip has increased over the last decade.

The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) claims that a lack of homes has pushed home ownership out of reach for many and increased rents.

The IPPR urged constructing more homes to ensure everyone can access affordable housing.

Census data from the Office for National Statistics show that on census day in March 2021, 3,205 out of 53,495 total dwellings in Mendip were unoccupied. This means that 6% of the 53,495 total properties in the area were empty, an increase from 5.3% in 2011.

The proportion of unoccupied dwellings in England has also increased, with 1.5 million empty homes in the country, up from 4.2% in 2011.

However, the ONS has cautioned that some unoccupied dwelling figures may be inflated due to people living with parents, overseas residents returning home, and other lockdown-related restrictions such as travel.

Luke Murphy, associate director for energy, climate, housing and infrastructure at IPPR, suggested implementing policies to control holiday homes, short-term lets, and empty homes.

Nevertheless, he stressed that building millions of more homes, including affordable housing, is the only way to ensure everyone has access to secure, warm, and affordable housing.

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"The shortage of homes is putting pressure on rents and pushing home ownership out of reach for many, so it's concerning that the number of unoccupied homes rose in England and Wales over the past decade," he said.

"Because the census took place during the pandemic, that may have contributed to the increase, but the rise means the Government should look again at policies to curb or control holiday homes, short-term lets, and empty homes.

"However, we mustn't pretend this will solve the housing crisis. We must build millions more homes, including affordable housing, if we're to ensure everyone has access to a secure, warm, and affordable home."

The proportion of empty homes varied across the country, with London having the highest number of unoccupied dwellings at 8%, while the West Midlands had the lowest at 4.8%. The South West saw 7% of its 2,630,835 total houses, or 183,625, unoccupied.

Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, a housing and homelessness charity, said that filling every empty property would not solve the shortage of affordable homes. Neate added that building a new generation of good quality social homes that local people can afford to live in is necessary to solve the housing emergency.

"If we can fill empty homes we should, but we will never solve the housing emergency without building a new generation of good quality social homes that local people can afford to live in," she said.