A tricky solution to overcrowding

Adam Hewitt • Published 11 Mar 2010 10:00 0 Comments

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LARGE families are living in overcrowded council homes because of a severe shortage of houses with enough bedrooms.

But Reading also has many "under-occupiers" - people living in houses much bigger than they need because they are happy there, want to stay where they know and worry about where they might end up if they are rehoused. Many also want to keep a garden and a spare room.

The council's housing scrutiny panel will examine the issue at its meeting tonight (Thursday) at 6.30pm at the Civic Centre and hear about incentives being offered to under-occupiers to get them to move. Current incentives, including free removals and free carpet fitting, are not thought to be enough and Reading may copy other councils which offer cash payments.

The council owns 133 four-bed homes and three five-bed homes, but there are 186 families who say they need one of these larger houses. The total number of people on the register, seeking to move into or between council or social landlord housing, has risen from 4,400 in April 2008 to 6,000 in February this year. The council report into overcrowding says some people may be "future proofing" themselves because of the recession, but it adds: "One of the most common reasons that applicants have for placing themselves on the Register is overcrowding."

Lib Dem Cllr Daisy Benson, scrutiny panel chairwoman, said: "The number of families living in overcrowded accommodation is a real cause for concern as it has a very negative impact on the quality of life of families and children in our town."

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