August 11, 2011 2.10 pm This story is over 151 months old

Over 3,000 wait for Lincoln council houses

Strong demand: Figures show more than 3,000 people are waiting for council houses in Lincoln, but only a fraction of that number are available.

More than 3,300 people are on the waiting list for council housing in Lincoln, according to figures obtained by The Lincolnite via a freedom of information request.

The City of Lincoln Council has a total of 7,935 properties, of which only 59 are currently empty, with three at major works and 40 at general repairs.

Out of the empty properties, only 16 are available — equating to over 208 applicants per property available.

The council announced this week that it plans to start work at five new council houses in Lincoln, the first to be built in 20 years in the city.

More than £53,000 has been spent by the council on its council houses, from which it regained over £24,000 through rental income.

City Councillor Richard Coupland, Portfolio Holder for Housing, said in a report this week the authority has enabled 203 affordable homes to be provided in 2009/10.

A further 152 affordable homes were built in 2010/11, with the largest provision at Ruston Way.

It is anticipated that approximately 155 affordable homes will be constructed in 2011/2012.

This includes 14 homes in Newport for over 55’s and 16 homes at Boultham Park for vulnerable adults which have already been completed.

Photo: Fernando de Sousa