National crisis impacting Warrington with more than 6,500 people on waiting list for social housing

DESPITE data showing Warrington is building new houses at double the rate of the UK average thousands of local residents are in need of housing across the town.

Under One Roof, the organisation that manages Warrington Borough Council’s housing waiting list shows more than 6500 people are currently looking for new homes in the social housing sector with many more looking to rent or buy homes privately.

Demand for new homes in Warrington – especially one-bedroom homes and homes for young adults – has continued to rise over recent years and the shortage in available homes means many families are made homeless and put into expensive temporary accommodation.
Although many parts of the town have been transformed over recent years with new developments in places like Chapelford and Omega there is still demand for thousands more homes.

Cllr Janet Henshaw, Cabinet Member for Sustainability and Climate Change

Councillor Janet Henshaw, Cabinet Member for Housing, Sustainability and Climate Change, says that under the current system, Warrington Borough Council (WBC) is restricted from building new council houses and therefore is unable to meet growing demand, instead relying on private developers or social housing providers.
As a result of these restrictions, WBC created a wholly-owned company, Incrementum, to begin delivering, new, high-quality, affordable and low-carbon homes. However, the company is limited by the number of homes it can deliver.
Local services such as the NHS have faced sustained pressure from Government cuts and austerity, they also face continued pressure from new homes.
Local authorities such as WBC are unable to build new GPs, dentists and hospitals and planning chiefs are unable to refuse planning applications on the basis of increased demand for the existing services.

Cllr. Henshaw said: “We know that waiting lists for new homes have continued to rise over recent years with more than 6500 currently waiting for a home in Warrington.
“Unfortunately under current rules, the Council cannot build new council houses and instead has to rely on third parties such as private developers, social housing providers and Incrementum.
“We are also aware of the additional pressures put on local services but sadly the Council isn’t allowed to build new schools, GPs, hospitals or dentists.
“In Warrington, we are doing everything we can to ensure that our residents have the homes they need. Unfortunately, this can’t be done without adequate government intervention.
“Earlier this month, Angela Rayner announced that it will bring forward the biggest boost in affordable homes for a generation with council houses and social housing at the core of our plan and by ensuring developers build more affordable houses.
“Labour will focus on brownfield sites and create new communities, parks, green spaces, reliable transport links, bustling high streets and crucially new services for all of these new homes.
“Keir Starmer also announced, new infrastructure to support hardworking families and communities to grow, including building new roads which would help to ease congestion.
“Labour is committed to ensuring everyone has a home, tackling the housing and homelessness crisis many of our local residents are facing.”