Thousands more County Durham residents have joined the waiting list for housing in the past four years. 

A recent report by Durham County Council revealed the housing register in County Durham has increased from 7,686 active applicants in 2020 to 10,999 in 2024 - a rise of approximately 30 per cent. 

Waiting times for social houses have also grown significantly with fewer lets available.

The sudden rise is thought to be due to the cost-of-living crisis. As tenancies and communities have become more sustainable, the number of lets (or turnover of social housing) has significantly decreased in recent years, meaning longer waiting times for those on the register. 

Before Covid, the waiting list was even higher. The register had approximately 10,000 applicants in 2017 and as many as 17,500 in 2011; however, pre-Covid, there was a much higher number of lets and turnover of stock so waiting times for housing were shorter. 

Now, Durham County Council is proposing a comprehensive review of the process to ensure housing is allocated consistently and fairly to those in the greatest housing need. Currently, a choice-based allocations scheme allocates social housing to people on the housing register, as part of the Durham Key Options partnership. 

Councillor James Rowlandson, cabinet member for resources, investment and assets, said it is time to review the policy. 

The Conservative member said: “A rising cost of living and a significant fall in the number of houses available to let has, unfortunately, led to more people waiting for housing. Since 2020, the number of people on the register has increased by around 30 per cent so it is vital that we review the policy to be able to provide the right support to those who need it.

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“We hope that by working together we can adapt the allocations policy to allow people to access the right type of social housing, and in the right place. This will help to not only meet their needs but also prevent the wider issue of homelessness.”

Housing providers, professionals, key stakeholders and members of the public will be given an opportunity to take part in a consultation on the changes. They will be asked about: the criteria to access the housing register, better use of social housing stock, local lettings policies, the priority of homelessness cases, the priority of medical and domestic abuse cases, and monitoring and service standards.

Council cabinet members are due to agree to the allocations policy review and approve a public consultation at a meeting next Wednesday (December 4).