Thousands stuck on council home waiting list

Thousands of people are waiting for a council home in Barnsley, documents reveal, with demand far outstripping supply.

Barnsley Council has acquired 57 new homes since April 2021, with a target of building or acquiring more than 21,500 properties by 2033.

This included affordable housing on new build developments and existing properties for social rent.

More than 5,500 residents are currently on the waiting list for a council property, with housing provider Berneslai Homes receiving about 5,000 applications a year.

Speaking to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, cabinet member Robin Franklin said the council understood the challenges facing local families and individuals in need of housing.

"We want our residents and communities to have a safe and secure home that suits their needs and lifestyle," he said.

Mr Franklin said the council's new build and acquisition strategy aimed to accelerate housing growth over the next five years.

The authority's local plan set out a target to build or acquire 21,546 additional homes between 2019 and 2033.

"Through our lettings policy, we aim to address supply and demand to make sure we support those in most need first," the cabinet spokesperson for regeneration and culture said.

"We publish transparent information about waiting lists on the Berneslai Homes website, which includes an interactive tool where people can work out their likely wait time."

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North or tell us a story you think we should be covering here.