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Needy's six month wait for a Leeds council property
People desperate for a home in Leeds are waiting an average of six months for a council property, new figures reveal.
Those most in need on the council's waiting list are given "priority extra" status, while others are rated either priority or general need.
Council figures show priority extra people are waiting an average of 27 weeks, the average wait for priority applicants is 32 weeks and those in general need face an average wait of just over 107 weeks.
Coun Les Carter, executive councillor for housing, revealed the figures after the Government's announcement it is to provide 559m for social and affordable housing in Yorkshire and Humber.
He said the funding came against a backdrop of ever increasing social housing waiting lists and accused the Government of a lack of action on social housing.
He said: "While we welcome the announcement of 559m for the Yorkshire and Humber region, it comes ten years too late as its effect will not be felt in Leeds for a number of years to come.
"The number of households on waiting lists in England has now reached 1.6m, up by over 600,000.
"This clearly illustrates that this is not a new issue and that over the last ten years the Government has failed to either halt the trend or, preferably, reverse it by providing funds to allow local authorities to build new homes.
"These waiting list statistics show the impact the Government's inactivity has had on the ground.
"In Leeds, we strive to deal as effectively as possible with those seeking social housing and are using many new initiatives to address the problem. However, at times it's like King Canute trying to hold back the tide."
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Friday 25 May 2012
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