THE number of council houses in Kirklees empty and awaiting being re-let is fewer than 500 - an all-time low.
Council chiefs have welcomed the news as it helps families with housing needs.
But Clr Andrew Cooper, the council's Cabinet member responsible for housing, is concerned at the number of council properties being sold off.
About 1,000 a year are now vanishing from council stock under the Government's right to buy scheme and Clr Cooper fears it will result in problems in the future.
"This is social housing being taken out of the system and we need to ensure there are houses for people who need them.
"There are concerns also that families are being put under pressure by finance companies, offering deals on council housing."
He added: "Some of our housing stock was in poor repair, such as houses at Brackenhall, and we have worked in partnership with housing associations to get rid of those and provide new homes."
Council housing is managed for the council by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing.
When it took over responsibility in 2002 the number of empty properties was more than 1,200.
There are now 25,000 council houses managed by Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing - a big drop on the figure years ago of 36,500.
Cliff Whiteley, chairman of Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing said: "The staff have worked really hard on this. The board is very pleased at such a dramatic reduction.
"It means more homes have been let.
"With houses for rent in short supply it is important that as the biggest single provider of rented housing that Kirklees Neighbourhood Housing does everything possible to get vacant houses back on the letting ladder as quickly as we can after they become vacant."
Chief executive Simon Rogers said: "We have reduced the number of empty properties and also the time it takes to let them to new tenants.
"But we think we can do even better, and are working hard on this one."
One of the consequences of the reduction in empty properties, and the increase in demand, is that new tenants are having to wait longer for homes.
The increase in the number of homes sold under right to buy has reduced the availability of homes to let across Kirklees.
