Number waiting to be homed hits 7,000 (From Warrington Guardian)

Number waiting to be homed hits 7,000

WARRINGTON is facing major housing problems after the number of people waiting to be homed trebled in three years, says a parish councillor.

The town's problems have been highlighted by Clr Ian Marks, of Lymm because he is worried that prices have doubled while people's salaries have remained the same.

He said: "Housing was the issue that first brought me into active politics so it gives me real cause for concern.

"The council's waiting list has risen from 2,300 registered in 2002 to around 7,000 applicants on it now.

"It has escalated for several reasons including the introduction of choice based lettings. This means that only the high priority cases will get re-housed and anyone registered on the lower bands has little hope.

People who have waited patiently on the list for years are losing hope they willll ever move."

Clr Marks is worried that many young people cannot afford houses in Warrington and fears an average priced property would require a mortgage more than five times their pay.

He is also concerned about a rising homeless population.

Clr Marks said: "The number of people in the town presenting themselves as homeless has gone up by 14 per cent on last year.

"This mirrors the national position where the number of people housed in BandBs or sleeping rough has started to rise again after recent falls.

"Thankfully the council's Homeless Team is doing a good job in providing advice and assistance to reduce the number of homeless cases accepted."