More than 1,000 people have left the social housing register in the last year – but one applicant has been waiting 36 years for a home.

The exclusive figures, obtained by The Bracknell Times
through a Freedom of Information request, show that throughout 2012/13,
490 applicants were rehoused in the borough, and other people removed themselves from the list, while 936 new applicants joined the list.

As of July, there were 2,698 individuals or families waiting for social housing, down from 4,012 in the same month last year.

The figures also revealed some applicants could wait decades for housing, with one person still on the list after 36 years.

Councillor
Dale Birch, executive member for adult social care, health and housing,
said: “It’s by no means the norm, but it’s not unusual if people are on
the waiting list for a very long time.

“The
practical reason is they are already adequately housed. They could have
put their name on for property, but could be living in a perfectly fine
house.

“If your need isn’t as great as someone else in the system you’re not going to be offered a house straight away.”

In
April 2012 the housing policy was revised, meaning anyone wanting social housing is categorised in terms of their need from Band A to Band
D – Band E was deleted when the change took place.

Throughout
2012/13 there were no individuals or families placed in the top priority category, classed as in urgent need of housing for reasons including violence, severe medical need, or relocation for major redevelopment.

Once an applicant has been categorised they may bid on available and suitable houses listed weekly on the council’s website.

Throughout 2012/13 there were on average 858 households bidding for housing each week.

Cllr
Birch said: “The number of people in each band changes week on week. To
be prioritised as Band A you have to be in significant need and they will still have to wait for a home to become available, but they won’t have to wait as long.

“We can put them up in bed and breakfasts in extreme cases while they wait. The system is designed to get those who need it into a suitable property.

“Just putting yourself on the waiting list doesn’t mean you will automatically get a property. These days you’re expected to go and look at houses you might be able to have.”