Number of families waiting for Council house rises again

9.16.28am UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 28th Mar 2008

An additional 200 local families are living in uncertain and undesirable accommodation this year, as figures show that the council house waiting list in Stockport grew for the third year running.

Statistics released this week from the Department of Communities and Local Government show a rise of over 40,000 families waiting for a home of their own across the country.

Commenting local MP, Andrew Stunell, said:

"Access to affordable, decent housing is a right, not a privilege, but too many people in Stockport are inadequately housed.

"Gordon Brown has promised to make housing a priority in his Government, but these figures show the situation is getting worse, not better.

"Over the last ten years, the number of homes being built for social housing has halved while the number of families on the waiting list has gone up by 50% and continues to grow.

"In Stockport there are now over 7,000 families on the waiting list, and I know from my own surgeries that many are stuck in overcrowded or very unsuitable accommodation, with no real chance of getting housed properly.

"It is a hidden part of the housing crisis, and it is time the Labour government lived up to its fine words and tackled the problem head-on."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1. The new council house waiting lists are available at:

http://www.communities.gov.uk/documents/housing/xls/144458