"These owners could afford to keep second properties empty for personal use as holiday homes or during long renovation projects."
I always find it laughable with these sorts of figures when the likes of holiday homes are included. By definition holiday homes are generally NOT in areas where people want to permanently live because the area is more of a lifestyle area and there isn't that much work there. Secondly even if they were available and for rent it won't change things dramatically as they aren't where people need to live for work purposes.
Also the majority of homes I have seen that would be vacant for an extended period of time are the ones that are considered currently unlivable and require a significant make-over. If they were rented as is right now the owners would be accused of being slum lords.
Additionally many of these homeless people couldn't afford to rent a whole property anyways - they need to lower their standard and consider sharing a house with others.
