THE number of people living in cramped and overcrowded conditions is a growing problem in Worcester.

The city council has admitted more needs to be done after the housing charity Shelter published a report stating an estimated 3,000 people in Worcestershire were living in houses which were too small for the number of people staying there.

Shelter is calling for greater investment in affordable homes in the county to alleviate the problem which, they say, causes family break-ups and leads to children suffering educational difficulties.

Nina Warrington, the Housing Services Manager at Worcester City Council, said lack of money was the main reason for overcrowding, but added they were constantly looking for more affordable housing.

Mrs Warrington said: "This is a growing problem and one that's difficult for us to deal with.

"We are working with limited resources and so we are looking for more and more innovative ways to tackle overcrowding.

"We currently have a waiting list of 1,500 people needing housing and, of those, 750 are there because of overcrowding, although what we base that on is probably different from how Shelter works out that number.

"But it is a significant problem mainly caused because people simply cannot afford to pay rent."

Mrs Warrington said there was not enough affordable housing in Worcester but the council was working with landlords to increase the number of properties on its books.

A spokeswoman for Shelter, which has just published a report called Crowded House highlighting the problem, said overcrowding was one of the main reasons for family breakdowns.

Massive strain

She said: "It puts a massive strain on people living in these conditions and has an impact on family relationships.

"It makes it very difficult for children to do their homework so it is disruptive for their education.

"Young people and children need room to grow and their health, education and well-being are being damaged by the miserable and overcrowded conditions they are forced to live in.

"A lack of space and privacy is destroying their relationships with their parents and brothers and sisters. Overcrowding must be tackled to prevent future generations of children being permanently scarred."