Housing list tops 6,000

ONLY 133 affordable houses became available in Oldham in 18 months — leaving more than 6,000 locals languishing on housing waiting lists.

Figures from the Homes and Community Agency released to MPs in a parliamentary answer show the 133 properties were completed between April, 2010, and September, 2011, and a further 99 were started.

But the figures are dwarfed by the 6,345 Oldhamers on a waiting list for a social housing or a more suitable property.

Oldham West and Royton MP Michael Meacher hopes levels of affordable housing will continue to increase. He said: “The number is nowhere near what we need given the thousands of families needing homes. I hope the situation will improve as I know Oldham Council and its leader are making sure they can put resources into housing. I believe the council is really determined to do the best it can over this crisis.”

Mr Meacher reissued his plea for government to start a massive house-building programme not only to end the “worst housing crisis in a generation” but to get thousands off the dole and into jobs.

He added: “If this government really wants to help young families, it should focus on building more affordable homes.