Homes waiting list up by 2,500

THE number of people on First Choice Homes’ waiting list has increased by over 2,500 to almost 11,000 in a year, according to its new annual report.

At the same time the organisation has sold 40 homes under government right-to-buy arrangements - though it is building 48 new family homes.

Despite the increased waiting list, First Choice said satisfaction with many services has risen and it made good progress in the business year for 2012-13. Rent collection was high — though tens of thousands of pounds are still owed.

First Choice manages 12,000 homes housing 25,000 residents, from bungalows and flats to family homes and tower blocks.

The report says 10,874 customers were on the housing register, known as the waiting list, in March of this year. This was an increase of 2,627 on the previous year. Almost 6,000 wanted a one-bedroom home, 3,000 wanted two bedrooms and 2,000 wanted three or more. Around 1,300 homes were allocated.