Housing crisis in Norfolk leaves more than 11,800 without a home
People in Norfolk are waiting longer than ever before to access housing
Last updated 31st Dec 2023
Alarming figures on the number of people waiting for a home in Norfolk have been released, showing more than 11,800 on housing waiting lists at the end of November.
The statistics, obtained through a Freedom of Information request, showed a particularly worrying trend in Great Yarmouth, with 813 outstanding applications for new housing, a further 1,096 yet to be assessed and more than 100 households in temporary accommodation.
It has led senior councillor Trevor Wainwright to warn that Yarmouth is “fighting against a massive tide of demand that is virtually impossible to get on top of”.
The long waits are believed by experts to be caused by a complex mix of factors, including skyrocketing rents, immigration, the rising cost of living, and an acute shortage of both social and private housing.
The direct consequences of the crisis are weighing on local authorities, which have had no choice but to put people up in hotels and other temporary accommodation, costing councils hundreds of thousands of pounds.
Some people found in a precarious situation have been placed in emergency housing throughout Norfolk and neighbouring counties, often many miles away from their families, friends and jobs.
Organisations fear the problem may get even worse if serious and quick action is not taken by local authorities.
Daniel Childerhouse, CEO of Future Projects, a charity which offers support for housing and homelessness, said: “It is deeply concerning."
“The cost of living crisis is leading to a growing number of relationship breakdowns, increasingly problematic debt, and widespread mental health issues – all of which are placing additional pressure on an already overwhelmed social housing system."
“We are also seeing more people needing support with housing who would ordinarily have scraped by; people with mortgage commitments and so on who, due to rising interest rates, can no long make do and are at risk of default.”
The FOI further showed people are sometimes waiting up to four years for a home, depending on the property type needed.