Joint working to tackle overcrowding in Walsall (29/07/10)

Families living in cramped conditions will be given support to create extra space in their homes or help to find more suitable accommodation to reduce overcrowding in Walsall.

The Department for Communities and Local Government, which oversees housing, has made £150,000 available for the project in 2010-11.

Walsall Housing Group (whg) and Walsall Council are working together to tackle the problem and have used the funding to recruit an officer who provides advice and assistance to overcrowded families, enabling them to access more suitable accommodation. In addition a further officer has been appointed to work with people who want help to move to a smaller more manageable property.

The Housing Needs Study 2007 showed 4,263 (4.1 per cent) of households in the borough were overcrowded and 35,710 (34.6 per cent) under occupied.

In May 2010 whg had 250 families registered as being severely overcrowded which means they need at least two extra bedrooms. In June 2010 21 per cent of whg properties were under occupied by at least two bedrooms and 55 per cent by one bedroom.

whg’s Charlotte Brittain, who leads on the overcrowding project, said: "Our focus has been on helping overcrowded families with solutions tailored to the specific needs of that family. By working with the family I am able to make sure that the property they move into is right for them now and into the future.

"Over the last year whg has re-housed more than a quarter of our severely overcrowded families into larger properties as well as assisting under occupiers moving into smaller, more manageable homes - a commitment we will continue to work on over the coming year."

The council has just published its Overcrowding and Under-occupancy Strategy 2010-11 which sets out how the authority and partner agencies will work together to reduce overcrowding and under occupancy in both the social and private sector.

Priorities are to increase the overall supply of housing to give people more choice; reduce current overcrowding and prevent future overcrowding by providing housing at the right time; promote and use the private sector as a housing option to reduce overcrowding and reduce under occupancy.

Research shows that overcrowding impacts on issues such as education, relationships and health while under occupancy is a particular issue for the elderly who struggle to meet the costs of heating and maintaining their homes, which may also create health problems.

Councillor Adrian Andrew, cabinet member for regeneration, said: "Overcrowding can have a massive impact on all aspects of life and this strategy is about looking at how we can work with our partners to ensure people are in accommodation most suited to their needs.

"Families who could benefit from downsizing to accommodation more suitable for their needs will be identified to ensure families and individuals are in the most suitable housing to meet their own requirements."

An information leaflet about overcrowding is available from any whg local housing officer or by calling whg Customer Services on 0300 555 6666.