Demand for social rental housing outstrips supply

For every available property this financial year, an average of 4.6 people applied

More than 900 individuals and families applied for 205 available social rental properties in Mid Devon, councillors have been told.

This meant for every available property this financial year, an average of 4.6 people applied, according to data presented to Mid Devon District Council’s scrutiny committee.

The South Hams has an average of 3.3 applicants per property, and Torridge has 7.6 applicants, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

Simon Newcombe, the council’s corporate manager for public health, regulation and housing, said there was “not enough supply” of new social-rented housing.

He said: "I fully understand the local frustrations on public housing, but the fundamental problem is that there isn’t enough to go around... there are lots of drivers as to why we don’t have enough social housing.”

Devon has about 60,000 social housing properties, with about 3,000 in Mid Devon.

Mr Newcombe said fewer private rented properties, loss of permanent homes to other uses and refugee and humanitarian scheme pressures were key issues.

The committee was told 59 households were currently in temporary accommodation, including hotels or bed and breakfasts, while awaiting social housing.

'Lack of supply'

Council leader Councillor Luke Taylor said many families were outgrowing their current properties.

He said: "I’m sure many members will have dealt with similar examples as one I have in my own ward, where a family of four now includes a 15-year-old brother and 13-year-old sister who have to share a bedroom.

“This was acceptable when the children were toddlers and the family could only bid on a two-bed property, but now it is an issue as their children have grown older, meaning the property is essentially overcrowded now as the children require separate bedrooms.”

Mr Newcombe said the issue was "just another way of showing that there is a lack of supply".

“Until more properties become available, we’ll always have the challenge that accommodation is perfectly acceptable when it is allocated to them, but then their children grow up and it no longer is,” he said.