Young, single people suffer lack of council housing

Buy photos » Sheltered accommodation at Rounds Gardens is being considered for a redesign as part of plans to make more council housing available for young people with no children. 15.011.049.rug.jg

YOUNG people without children find getting a council home in the borough almost impossible, a report has revealed.

Older generations have a much better chance of getting social housing in Rugby, while those under 60, single and who do not have children struggle, according to the findings of Rugby Borough Council.

The report, produced by a task group headed up by Coun Claire Watson, showed the majority of Rugby's social housing stock of nearly 4,000 properties was sheltered accommodation for the elderly or three bedroom family houses.

But this did not match up with a 1,000 strong waiting list of which nearly half are single people aged between 16 and 25.

Coun Watson said: "There remains a large and growing group of younger single people who are in need of housing but who have only a remote chance of success in their applications for council housing.

"At the same time, the council has flats and bedsits designated for older people which are hard to adapt for older people’s changing needs and which can be difficult to let to their intended occupants."

The findings have prompted the borough council to investigate ways of helping young, single people to access social housing in Rugby.

Since the report also found demand for sheltered accommodation to be fairly low, the council is now looking at turning some into flats more suited to young people.

The redevelopment of Pettiver Crescent in Hillmorton is one of the first examples. Last year it was controversially announced part of the sheltered accommodation complex would be rebuilt and its elderly residents moved elsewhere.

Other sheltered accommodation sites in mind for similar revamps are Victoria Street, Rounds Gardens, Clifton Road, Deepmore Road, Jackson Road, Featherbed Lane, Lever Road and Coton Road.

According to Coun Watson, this would be done sensitively and gradually, and all current residents will be consulted in November on the plans.

Council properties with more than one bedroom may also be opened up to people who are single, but have a child from a previous relationship who they see regularly.

The report will be put before Rugby Borough Council's cabinet meeting at the town hall on Monday (June 25).

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