There are 66 people chasing every council property in Shrewsbury, it was claimed today.

Councillor Miles Kenny said there were, on average, 2,000 people on a waiting list for just 30 properties in the town. He said there were cases of ‘appalling overcrowding’ in Shrewsbury, with several generations living in one home and downstairs rooms converted into extra bedrooms.

He said he knew of one case in the town where two sisters were living with their young children in their parents’ home.

“The mum and dad have the main bedroom; one sister is in one bedroom with her child and the other is in the other bedroom with her child,” said Councillor Kenny.

“There is no room for their partners.”

He added: “As soon as one is housed the other one drops down the waiting list because there’s no longer any overcrowding – well, there is overcrowding but it’s not so serious.”

Mr Kenny said there were similar cases in Shrewsbury and the situation was having an effect on people’s health and relationships.

He said there was a real need for more two-bedroomed houses, but it wasn’t simply a case of building more homes because that took time and there was not enough land.

Solutions could involve converting homes into two-bedroomed properties or looking at cases where one person was living in a three-bedroomed council property, although those situations would have to be handled with real sensitivity.

He also said there were a number of empty properties that should be brought back into use sooner, possibly through incentives for landlords.

Councillor Malcolm Price, Shropshire Council cabinet member for social housing, said the authority was working closely with partners to ensure social housing was targeted towards those in greatest housing need.

He said: “As of the end of September, there were 2,227 residents registered on the Choice Base Letting Scheme with Shrewsbury as their area of preference.

“Many of those registered are not in greatest need. During September there were approximately 27 properties available within the Shrewsbury area.

“The council is working to help increase the supply of affordable housing in both the social and privately rented sectors.

“We also have a Housing Options team who can assist people to evaluate the housing options available to them.”

By Andrew Owen