'I live in a peaceful corner of Bristol. But the house next door is empty and full of rats'

Empty property next to resident in Bristol overrun by pests and crime, highlighting rising issue of empty homes in England. With over 700,000 empty properties, councils like Bristol City Council are taking action to address the impact on communities. Initiatives like the Future Builders program are repurposing vacant properties to provide affordable housing, like in the case of Becky Hopkins, helping combat homelessness by transforming unused spaces for those in need.