More than a million more people in England and Wales could soon join waiting lists for social housing, the Local Government Association has said.
More than a million more people in England and Wales could soon join waiting lists for social housing, the Local Government Association has said.
The LGA blamed the economic downturn for the increasing numbers turning to councils for help.
The LGA blamed the economic downturn for the increasing numbers turning to councils for help.
A spokesman warned of "meltdown" without additional government cash.
A spokesman warned of "meltdown" without additional government cash.
A government spokesman said councils could apply for a share of the £400m grant available for affordable housing schemes and social homes.
A government spokesman said councils could apply for a share of the £400m grant available for affordable housing schemes and social homes.
Currently there are four million waiting for social housing. By 2010, it is expected to jump to five million, according to the LGA.
Currently there are four million waiting for social housing. By 2010, it is expected to jump to five million, according to the LGA.
Paul Bettison, from the LGA, told the BBC that councils were finding it increasingly difficult to help those who requested assistance.
Paul Bettison, from the LGA, told the BBC that councils were finding it increasingly difficult to help those who requested assistance.
'Meltdown'
'Meltdown'
The Association said its members "desperately" needed an injection of cash from the government to pay for more properties.
The Association said its members "desperately" needed an injection of cash from the government to pay for more properties.
Mr Bettison said: "It's very serious now; it's critical now.
Mr Bettison said: "It's very serious now; it's critical now.
"If we don't get additional funding from central government then I can see it reaching meltdown within a couple of years."
"If we don't get additional funding from central government then I can see it reaching meltdown within a couple of years."
Local authorities in England have to give half the rent which they are paid by tenants to central government; the money is then redistributed.
Local authorities in England have to give half the rent which they are paid by tenants to central government; the money is then redistributed.
There are also very strict rules about how much councils can borrow to build new properties.
There are also very strict rules about how much councils can borrow to build new properties.
It has been also estimated that local authorities spend approximately £250m paying for people to stay in bed and breakfast and hostel accommodation. These costs are also expected to go up.
It has been also estimated that local authorities spend approximately £250m paying for people to stay in bed and breakfast and hostel accommodation. These costs are also expected to go up.
Gillian Batten was so fed up with spending two years on the housing waiting list in Lincolnshire that she eventually rented a home privately.Gillian Batten is still on a council waiting list after two years
Gillian Batten was so fed up with spending two years on the housing waiting list in Lincolnshire that she eventually rented a home privately.Gillian Batten is still on a council waiting list after two years
But the mother-of-one said it is a luxury she cannot afford. Describing the system as one that "stinks", she said: "I'm not the only one. There are thousands out there that are in the same boat and it is quite frustrating."
But the mother-of-one said it is a luxury she cannot afford. Describing the system as one that "stinks", she said: "I'm not the only one. There are thousands out there that are in the same boat and it is quite frustrating."
Every month her local authority, South Holland District Council, receives up to 100 new applications for council houses but although it had been able to build new homes, it has found it difficult to keep up with demand.
Every month her local authority, South Holland District Council, receives up to 100 new applications for council houses but although it had been able to build new homes, it has found it difficult to keep up with demand.
The leader of the council, Councillor Gary Porter, said: "The government needs to let us keep the rent we collect so that we could spend it on new homes. This year have taken over £3.5m off us which would go a long way to cutting down the waiting lists.
The leader of the council, Councillor Gary Porter, said: "The government needs to let us keep the rent we collect so that we could spend it on new homes. This year have taken over £3.5m off us which would go a long way to cutting down the waiting lists.
David Ireland, a spokesman for housing charity The Empty Homes Agency, said the solution could lie behind boarded-up homes.
David Ireland, a spokesman for housing charity The Empty Homes Agency, said the solution could lie behind boarded-up homes.
'Ease pressure'
'Ease pressure'
There are believed to be one million empty homes nationwide. Although most are privately-owned, 15% are thought to belong to housing associations and councils.
There are believed to be one million empty homes nationwide. Although most are privately-owned, 15% are thought to belong to housing associations and councils.
Mr Ireland said councils could ease the pressure on housing by renting properties on short-term lets. He claimed this was a far better option than placing people in bed and breakfasts. We are constantly looking at what more we can to do to ensure stability and fairness in the market so we can deliver the homes future first-time buyers and families need Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman
Mr Ireland said councils could ease the pressure on housing by renting properties on short-term lets. He claimed this was a far better option than placing people in bed and breakfasts. We are constantly looking at what more we can to do to ensure stability and fairness in the market so we can deliver the homes future first-time buyers and families need Department for Communities and Local Government spokesman
He said: "We have a recession, we have a housing market downturn, more houses are going to become empty that's for sure.
He said: "We have a recession, we have a housing market downturn, more houses are going to become empty that's for sure.
"They need to have plans in place to help private owners to get properties back in use and for their own stock - they shouldn't be leaving properties like this empty".
"They need to have plans in place to help private owners to get properties back in use and for their own stock - they shouldn't be leaving properties like this empty".
A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "We are focused on maintaining the delivery of affordable homes in this challenging climate and supporting industry so it is ready for the recovery.
A spokesman for the Department for Communities and Local Government said: "We are focused on maintaining the delivery of affordable homes in this challenging climate and supporting industry so it is ready for the recovery.
He said that, as well as money for affordable housing schemes and social homes, the government was also helping provide more affordable homes by buying unsold properties on the open market.
He said that, as well as money for affordable housing schemes and social homes, the government was also helping provide more affordable homes by buying unsold properties on the open market.
"We are constantly looking at what more we can to do to ensure stability and fairness in the market so we can deliver the homes future first-time buyers and families need, " he said.
"We are constantly looking at what more we can to do to ensure stability and fairness in the market so we can deliver the homes future first-time buyers and families need, " he said.
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