Concerns have been raised as nearly 2,400 homes in the borough are “empty” while thousands of people sit on a housing waiting list.

Liberal Democrat members at Haringey Council are calling on the authority’s bosses to take more action to tackle the number of unoccupied homes owned by them, housing associations or in the private sector.

Figures released by the Department for Communities and Local Government show the number had increased up by 1,000 in one year from 1,357 in 2014 to 2,397 in 2015.

The Lib Dems say the situation has “got worse” as it was rated the 28th highest number for vacant homes across London in 2004, but the latest figures from 2015 show Haringey finished in eighth place.

Cllr Gail Engert believes the housing crisis could be improved if families and those needing a house could be placed in one of these homes.

She said: “To have 2,397 empty homes in Haringey is shocking when there are so many residents in desperate housing need and to be the 8th worst borough in London is shameful.

“Labour councillors say their top priority is housing but their record shows that this is nothing more than hot air, they have still not built a single council home in Haringey for over 25 years.

“These thousands of homes lying empty in the borough could make a huge difference if the Labour-run council took action.

“The Liberal Democrats will keep fighting residents’ corner and push Labour to increase the housing supply in Haringey.”

Cllr Alan Strickland, Haringey cabinet member for housing, regeneration and planning, said the council has taken “tough action” to ensure hundreds of empty homes have been filled in the past few years.

He said: “The government definition of an “empty home” is so broad it includes hundreds of properties in Haringey being refurbished, converted and repaired by their owners.

“It’s ludicrous to suggest Haringey would deny people the chance to improve their own homes.

“Where a home is empty over a long period, Haringey takes tough action including compulsory purchase and enforced sales - we have used enforcement action to bring 273 homes back to use over the past five years.”

Mr Strickland added council homes were only unoccupied in between people moving in and out.

He said: “Out of 14,318 council homes which Homes for Haringey manage, only 87 homes are empty while they are being prepared for a new letting after the old tenancy has ended. That’s 0.6 per cent.

“So despite government policy making it ever more difficult for us to build affordable homes, Haringey is leading a new programme of council-built housing that will help more families find a modern, high-quality home.”