Reform to declare housing emergency

Reform UK has vowed to declare a ‘housing emergency’ in Sandwell to battle the ever-increasing wait for a council home.

Cllr Ken Parsons, cabinet member for housing at Sandwell Council, will make the call at next week’s full council meeting, saying that no resident should have to wait years for accommodation.

Sandwell Council’s housing waiting list increased from 6,000 in 2020 to more than 24,000 people last year.

Based on current figures, the council’s waiting list is predicted to reach 35,000 by 2030 and would take 27 years to clear if no action is taken.

Cllr Parson’s motion says: “Demand for social and affordable housing significantly exceeds supply, resulting in many residents with an identified housing need facing lengthy waits for suitable accommodation.

“The council recognises the many challenges faced by households living in temporary accommodation, overcrowded housing, unsuitable housing, or those requiring rehousing due to medical, welfare or safeguarding circumstances.

“No resident should spend years waiting for suitable accommodation where the council has already determined that a priority housing need exists.

“Tackling housing need is one of the most significant challenges facing the borough and must be a central priority for the council and its partners.”

The current estimated average waiting time is just over 12 months for highest priority band one applicants. The wait is 621 days for band two requests and 1,310 days – or four-and-a-half years – for band three. Each housing application is graded by the council with the highest priority ‘band one’ down to ‘band five’ for everyone outside the ‘priority need’ categories.

The highest priority ‘band one’ includes those living in dangerous and unsafe homes, victims of domestic abuse and extreme harassment, witness protection, children in care and care leavers, and those with urgent medical needs.

The criteria are then assessed against varying degrees of vulnerability – including homelessness and overcrowding – and given a band.

Around 75% of households fall under the lowest priority band five, according to council figures.

Band one and two applicants face average waits of between 12 months and three years depending on the size of the property with band 3 applicants left waiting between 14 months for a one-bed flat and an astonishing ten years for a four-bed house.

Reform UK’s motion also asks for the council to lobby the government to provide “the powers, funding and support required” to build more ‘genuinely’ affordable and social housing.

An ‘action plan’ would also be drawn up to reduce waiting times.

Last month, councillors were told half of the 26,000 homes needed in Sandwell by 2041 could not be built even if every piece of available land in the borough was used because it only has enough space for just 11,900 homes.

By Christian Barnett | Local Democracy Reporting Service