Demand for social housing in Wiltshire outstrips supply - new report

Trowbridge has 533 people waiting for social housing

Recommendations have been made to a council which has seen a marked decrease in the amount of affordable housing.

By the end of June, Wiltshire Council had built 235 affordable homes, representing 36% of its annual target of 650 homes.

An Environment Select Committee (ESC) task force suggested supporting multi-tenant houses for unrelated adults.

The task force added the housing allocations process was "complex".

In June 2023, the ESC asked a task group to review how well the current housing allocations policy was working in Wiltshire.

The group gave a report to the ESC on Tuesday which showed, as of August 2023, there were 4,294 applicants on Wiltshire's housing register and only 1,332 suitable properties.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, the report said: "With rental prices increasing and fewer properties available, demand for social housing rises."

It also showed most people on the housing register were concentrated in Wiltshire's main urban areas such as Amesbury (234), Chippenham (467), Devizes (248), Melksham (237), Salisbury (732), and Trowbridge (533).

'Needs have increased'

The report said: "The current housing allocations process is complex, difficult to navigate and is raising false expectations.

"There are a large number of people on the register, many of whom have no prospect of bidding successfully.

"There is not enough stock for everyone who needs housing and housing needs have increased."

It also said while applicants from more vulnerable people are prioritised, some remain on the housing register for months or even years.

The report said there was clearly "a lack of supply" across the housing market, which affected the number of properties available as social housing.

Last year, Wiltshire Council provided a total of 643 affordable homes, seven dwellings below its target.