Housing crisis: 'The council is relatively powerless'

IT is a well documented and accepted fact that Edinburgh has a severe shortage of affordable housing.

It is estimated that over the next ten years 12,000 low-cost homes will have to be built to meet the demand. And there are growing concerns in many quarters that while the current recession grips the country attempts to kick-start the programme will grind almost to a halt.

When many people talk about a lack of affordable housing they tend to equate this shortage with the private sector. Certainly for many in Edinburgh above average prices, compared to most parts of Scotland, make it difficult to get on to the property ladder. With the ending of cheap mortgage deals and with many facing an increased risk of unemployment in many sectors in the foreseeable future, the task for many will not become any easier.

But for many the challenges of finding low cost accommodation in the rental sector is no easier. Although a deposit rather than a substantial down payment may be demanded private sector rentals can be every bit as expensive per month as a mortgage payment on a lower priced property.

The best chance for many on lower incomes is therefore the hope of renting from the public sector or a social landlord. But as the Evening News reveals today that too is becoming increasingly difficult.

A record number of 400,000 applications have been received this year for city council houses that have become available for rental. Seeking a tenancy in a more desirable area could see applicants fighting it out with over 1000 rivals – the average number chasing each house is around 150.

Such is the gravity of the homeless situation that it is costing the council £2 million a year to house those without a roof over their heads in B&B accommodation. And while not all applicants for council properties are homeless – many are simply seeking a move to better areas or larger accommodation – it is worrying that the council believes that the number of families who will be without homes next year will rise to over 6000.

The council itself is relatively powerless to address the problems on it its own. It has identified land to build 1000 homes – its first new builds for over 20 years – but as with plans to provide 7000 low cost homes over the next five years it is dependent on money from the Government to do so. In the meantime it would appear that the best those seeking new homes in the public sector can do is continue to compete in the council housing lottery.The odds suggest that there is a greater chance of landing a home than winning the jackpot in the National Lottery. But for many who have consistently failed to secure a roof over their heads it will not seem like it.