THE number of homeless families in Herefordshire stands at its highest ever level.

That is the startling message from Herefordshire Council's head of housing services Tony Jaques, who explained that the authority's hands are tied in solving the problem.

There are currently 350 families accepted as homeless in Herefordshire, a total that has risen steadily in recent years. In addition, the waiting list for council houses stands at well over 3,500.

No supply to meet demand

"At the moment we simply do not have the supply to meet demand," explained Mr Jaques.

Last year less than 100 new housing association homes were built in the county, despite a £2.7 million joint investment by the council and Housing Corporation.

"The money doesn't go very far due to exceptionally high building costs and the price of land," said Mr Jaques.

"The other problem is we are losing properties all the time due to the right-to-buy policy, which plunders the best stock, and the restrictions imposed on capital spending by the Government means we're sitting on assets we cannot touch."

The majority of families accepted as homeless are put up in temporary accommodation provided by Herefordshire Council.

"We tend to use bed and breakfasts, which we don't consider to be the best suited for the needs of a family," said Mr Jaques. "However, the aim is obviously to move people into something more suitable as soon as we can possibly find it."

With each application for housing having to be fully investigated, the pressure on council staff is enormous.

"Generally the public do understand the situation we're in, but there are a few whose problems and frustrations get too much.

"We realise losing your home is a trauma," said Mr Jaques.