THE council and housing associations in Herefordshire are struggling to find enough affordable homes for low-income households, according to new housing data.

In the 12 months up to March 2017, 1,024 families or individuals were placed in social and affordable housing, but hundreds more remain on the waiting list, figures from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government show. As of April 2017, there were still 1,444 applicants waiting for social housing.

Herefordshire is one of the only places in the country where the council made more affordable housing offers to people in 2016/2017 than it did five years ago – up by eight per cent 8% from the same period in 2012/2013.

When making housing decisions, councils and housing associations will assess a person’s income, family status and their connection to Herefordshire, as well as other factors.

Two types of rented property are offered in social housing. Social rents are usually no more than 50 per cent of the market rate and are set nationally. Affordable rents are significantly higher – generally between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of market rates and are set locally.

In Herefordshire, the majority of new housing offers, 87.3 per cent, were for social rent.

Social housing is managed by councils and housing associations, which are independent not-for-profit companies. Both are failing to build enough new homes to keep up with demand. Figures show that the most common reason for a social home becoming available was because the previous tenant had moved.

In the 12 months to March 2017, 110 new affordable homes were completed in Herefordshire. Just 10 of these were the most affordable homes, let at social rents.

Nationally, housing associations and councils let 334,602 homes for below market rent in 2016-17, down from 374,586 a year earlier – a drop of 11 per cent. This is the lowest level since records began in 2007.The figures demonstrate a long term decline in the availability of social housing.

According to analysis by the Chartered Institute of Housing, 150,000 homes for social rent have been lost in England since 2012.

Most of the losses were down to social homes being converted to affordable rent or being sold through Right to Buy, which allows tenants to cheaply purchase their home from the council.

Terrie Alafat, of the Chartered Institute of Housing, said: “For many people on lower incomes, the only truly affordable option is social rent. “It is simply unacceptable that we are losing so many of our most affordable homes at a time when more and more people are in need.

“Government investment is still heavily skewed towards the private market.”