Plight of 21,000 in queue for homes

As reported in the Daily Post Eleanor

LIVERPOOL has been plunged into its biggest-ever housing crisis, with almost 21,000 people waiting in the queue for homes, a city councillor warned last night.

Cllr Steve Radford, leader of the minority Liberal group said the situation will become even worse when 5,000 tenants who need to be decanted to alternative homes join the list.

The waiting list is growing at the rate of up to 50 applicants a week, council assistant executive director Cath Green admitted in a report to Cllr Radford.

Cllr Radford and The Liberal Party realise that the council's decision to demolish dwellings instead of repairing them is the reason behind the rapid increase in demand for homes. This is the key feature of the Merseyside Pathfinder Project

He said: "The council is spending £42m of taxpayers' money to demolish housing but we need renovation not demolition. They are driving people out of the city.

There are 13,500 people on the council's waiting list, which rises to 20,687 for the Propertypool waiting list, a scheme introduced in 2004 including 14 registered social landlords.

Cllr Marilyn Fielding, Liverpool's executive member for housing, insisted the dramatic rise in the numbers waiting to be rehoused were due to the introduction of new schemes.

She said: "John Prescott's office has set targets for all local authorities to introduce 'Choice Based Letting Schemes' which makes it easier for people to register with us and apply for social housing.

If you want to challenge the councils neglect of its obligation to help those needing social housing ensure you vote for Liberal Party candidates on May 4th