Thousands queue for council homes as credit crisis deepens

Nov 13 2008 by Barry Gibson, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

Thousands queue for council homes as cred crisis deepens

DEMAND for council houses has rocketed in Huddersfield.

There has been a 25% rise in the number of people on the waiting list – and many will have to wait for months.

And an MP today said hard-pressed homeowners need banks to help them through the credit crisis.

Barry Sheerman called for lenders to provide a “cushion” for mortgage holders who can’t make their payments.

The Huddersfield MP’s remarks came as figures showed demand for council housing in Kirklees is up 25%. In March 2007 there were 7,961 people on the register. By this September the figure had risen to 10,293.

Mr Sheerman said: “The problem is growing. I’m seeing more people in my surgery who need social housing.

“At the moment, when someone stops paying their mortgage, their bank gives them three months before they repossess the house.