Housing waiting list on the rise

Nov 30 2005 By Anna Jeys, Birmingham Mail

HOUSING chiefs in Solihull are having to cope with a spiralling number of families waiting for council homes.

The waiting list has risen by more than 2,000 in the last 18 months alone. Solihull Council has even had to employ staff to get families moving into empty council homes more quickly.

Housing bosses say the rise is due to a change in law which means more families can now apply for council housing.

Latest statistics show that families waiting for homes have increased from 3,516 in May last year to 5,890 in October.

The number includes both tenants waiting to be transferred from other homes in Solihull and new families waiting to be housed.

Council chiefs say they are facing similar problems in both north and south Solihull, often because families want to get council homes in their local area.

John King, director of housing, said: "A change in government policy made in 2003 removed the restrictions that councils had placed on people being able to register for council housing.

"In Solihull, this has seen an increase in the combined housing waiting list. Empty council properties are closely monitored and quickly made available to meet the demands of those waiting for council housing."

The council appointed an Empty Homes Officer last year in a bid to cope with the extra demand and identify available homes.

The authority currently has 11,500 council properties.