You might be wondering…what is Cornerstone?

Who we are.

Cornerstone Homes is a social mission organisation dedicated to tackling one of the UK’s most overlooked housing challenges: long-term empty homes.

We’re not estate agents and we’re not a council - we’re an independent, community-driven initiative, focused on one mission:

bringing empty homes back to life.

Room under renovation with three large windows, bricks, construction tools, and materials scattered around.
A wooden step ladder with paint splatters positioned in front of a plain white wall, with painting supplies including a paint roller tray, a small paint roller, a paint can, and samples of color swatches on the floor covered with drop cloths.
An interior room in a state of disrepair with peeling paint, a damaged ceiling, and debris on the floor. There are two doorways, one on the left and one on the right, and a window on the left wall.
A man in a white t-shirt, gray overalls, white gloves, and a brown cap is using a power tool to cut a piece of material on a wooden workbench in a construction setting.

Why we exist.

Across the country, thousands of people routinely notice the same thing: homes left empty for years, falling into disrepair while families struggle to find places to live. These properties are more than an eyesore - they weaken neighbourhoods, reduce the country’s housing supply and are frequently the source of extreme financial pressures on owners.

We established Cornerstone Homes to provide a clear, trusted way to report these homes, providing the right support to owners who need it and driving real change amongst our communities.

What we do.

  • Collect Reports.

    You report a property you think has been left empty.

  • Verify and log.

    We check the details and add it to our secure national register.

  • Explore solutions.

    We work with owners to identify and deliver the support needed to return properties to a liveable condition, from free advice to refurbishment management or sale.

  • Build evidence.

    Every report adds to a growing picture of the empty homes crisis, evidence we use to put pressure on councils and policymakers to act.

    Ready to report an empty home?

What makes us different?

Multiple hands stacked together in a show of unity, with people wearing colorful sweaters.
View through a large glass window showing a cityscape with a hillside covered in trees and traditional Chinese-style buildings with orange roofs, and a modern city skyline in the distance.
Modern kitchen with white cabinets, wooden accents, and a wooden dining table with white chairs. Hanging light fixture with exposed bulbs is above the table.

Community-powered.

We’re not tied to government or big developers. We rely on the knowledge of local people who are closest to the problem.

Transparent.

We won’t publish unverified information or share your details without your consent.

Action-focused.

Reports aren’t just logged; we use them to drive action and bring homes back into use. We work closely with owners to identify the right support for them.

Seen an empty home? Tell us about it.

Report an empty home