Croydon Council has been scouring the borough to look for unused properties over shops and offices in attempt to get more homeless families into permanent accommodation.
By convincing shop owners to transform the empty spaces above their businesses into flats, the council's empty property team has so far identified 22 potential sites.
A total of 10 flats have been renovated and another seven are being worked on, which will then be let through the council to people on the housing waiting list.
Over the coming months the empty property officers will be walking the streets, talking to owners of shops and meeting with neighbourhood business partnerships to give advice, encourage renovation and identify properties sitting empty.
Councillor Dudley Mead, the cabinet member for housing, said: "This is an excellent idea that can save the council money during a time of unprecedented financial pressure but also give homes to people who might not otherwise have had one."
Owners of empty properties can call the empty property hotline on 020 8760 5470 to find out more.
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