House sharing could be used to help address the rise in demand of accommodation for single tenants, according to a council report.
Members of Caerphilly County Borough Council’s policy and resources scrutiny committee will note a report into the authority’s homelessness strategy and action plan today, Tuesday, May 29.
The plan will feed into a regional strategy with the former Gwent councils for a four-year homelessness plan as required by the Housing (Wales) Act 2014.
The report, written by principal housing officer Sue Cousins, says the number of applications from single persons on the housing register rose by more than 400 in 12 months.
“The general social housing demand is increasing as reflected by the single person applicant numbers recorded on our housing register: up from 1,755 – 48.55 per cent – of all applications in January 2017 to 2,187 – 49.85% – in January 2018,” it says.
“To access private rental properties, the only affordable and potentially sustainable housing solution for many single people in the Caerphilly borough is to share their housing costs with others,” added Ms Cousins.
“Whilst house sharing in city-based authorities and areas with university and college accommodation is accepted as normal, people do not aspire to share housing as a solution to their needs.
“As noted in the Wales Audit Report, single people account for half of all homelessness applications across Wales, and in Caerphilly this is no different.”
In terms of available housing, the report highlights that Caerphilly’s stock is more equipped for families rather than single person occupancy.
The report also looks into the number of recorded applications to the council for housing and homelessness advice and assistance.
Although the numbers of rough sleepers in Caerphilly is low, with only one reported in 2017/2018, there is a rise in the number of households facing homelessness typically due to rental arrears.
“In 2017/18, 2,224 households approached the council for housing advice and assistance due to the threat of homelessness, which is a threefold increase on the number of presentations received in 2015/16,” said the principal housing officer.
“A breakdown of these presentations shows that single males: 37%, female single parent families: 23 per cent and single females: 20 per cent accounted for 80% of all cases.”
As detailed in the report, the number of households requiring advice or assistance with regard to homelessness has increased by 72% in the past 12 months in Caerphilly.
One simple answer is build more 1 bed apartments.
There simply a shortage young single and married couples can accommodate.
Yes this would be the sensible answer, make developers who are building a housing estate also build some smaller houses and three storey blocks which contain a number of apartments. It’s what they did near to where I lived in Birmingham, seems developers here are only building 4 & 5 bed executive homes that are £500K plus.
More creative accounting by the council – just 1 rough sleeper in 2017/2018 ???
Who are you trying to fool ???
We, the public no longer believe anything you say !
Building more houses/ apartments is more difficult than you think. These things need be carefully worked out. The council have known all about this shortage for a few years and have ignored it. They could have invested in the infrastructure to support this but have failed. What about renovating old buildings first? Also people moving into these homes need to be monitored so they dont turn into crime areas, careful checks need to take place.
I see another creative book work by the council though did all their staff/supervisors/ managers go to the same school as Diane Abbot? I simply do not agree or believe these numbers
It’s very sad that people have a low regard for single people most single people that live in 1 bed apartments may be older looking to downsize or free up 2-3,bed homes would they need to be checked or is it just young people.
Look at the figures online, Jack they speak for themselves. Dont be so gulliable. It is sad but its the truth
Mr Smith.
Why are you so negative towards single people
Why are you so negative towards progressing.
Well vetting single young people like you say is going backwards not forward.
37% of young males that’s a lot.
23% of single perent familys.
House Sharing like the council are saying is a big no by 3 males that could be a big problem.
The conservative party started this problem with cut backs and bedroom tax.
Mr Smith Your Very age and single person property discrimination