BROMSGROVE Council is failing to meet the district's housing needs, according to an independent watchdog's report.

The strategic housing services provided by Bromsgrove District Council are poor with uncertain prospects of improvement, according to a report by the Audit Commission.

On a scale from zero to three stars the Audit Commission's inspection team gave the service, which covers issues such as homelessness and private sector housing services, a poor zero star rating. The council has not shown leadership in addressing the lack of affordable housing in the district.

Also, its hostel accommodation is poor, and people are left in temporary accommodation for long periods with little support.

On the positive side the report said the authority's housing staff were committed and knowledgeable and had worked well to develop an effective 'fit for purpose' housing strategy. They are working with local housing associations to develop some affordable housing in Bromsgrove, although this was not yet having any real impact.

Deborah Good, the Audit Commission's lead housing inspector, said: "This is not good news for the people of Bromsgrove. The council is failing to meet the district's housing needs and has not shown leadership in the provision of affordable homes. This particularly affects homeless people, those living in poor quality hostel accommodation provided by the council and other people in housing need."

To help the service improve, inspectors made a number of recommendations, including that the authority should play a more prominent role in addressing housing need and delivering more affordable housing, a strategy for dealing with poor hostel accommodation needs to be agreed and it needs to demonstrate that it is delivering improved value for money.

The district council has now drawn up a comprehensive action plan to support the council's housing strategy.

Councillor Peter Whittaker, portfolio holder for planning and environment, said: "We accept the Audit Commission's report and are taking the findings very seriously. We have come a long way during the last two years, but acknowledge that there are further improvements to be made. We have put in place a comprehensive action plan to address the Audit Commission's recommendations."

The council has set a target in working with its partners for 400 units of affordable housing over the next five years and plans to replace hostel accommodation with self-contained homes for temporary occupancy through various initiatives, including the increased use of private sector landlords.

It has also been working with the Bromsgrove District Housing Trust in setting up a new support service for homeless people.

Phil Street, corporate director of services, added: "There are some positive messages. The council's housing staff are committed and knowledgeable and have worked well to develop a housing strategy which was recently given a fit for purpose rating by the Government. I am confident we can go forward and deliver the improvements we need to make at a corporate level."