THE number of desperate families on the waiting list for council houses in Blackpool has almost doubled to more than 900.
Council bosses are now looking for sites on which homes can be built after the waiting list soared from 563 families in April 2007.
The recession, with job losses and pay cuts, has been blamed for causing the rise in the number of people on the wa
iting list.
Coun Lily Henderson, cabinet member for adult social care and housing, said: "We are desperately in need of new housing for families.
"The recession has had a big impact and the number needing houses has risen, and the council are doing all they can to find somewhere for them to live."
Many people on the waiting list for a permanent council house are living in the council's temporary accommodation.
Coun Henderson said: "Many are in the council's temporary accommodation, because they could not pay rent on their previous homes, or because they cannot afford mortgages and renting from the council is the only affordable option.
"Where they are living is not a proper home, and that's what the families need."
Last week, Blackpool Council's development control committee granted permission for 28 new houses in the resort.
This includes 17 two storey houses on Draycott Avenue and Forshaw Avenue, Grange Park, seven two storey houses on Portree Road, Bispham, and four two storey houses on Cranbrook Avenue, Bispham.
But the council has already met with criticism for choosing these sites, despite needing to allocate land for 7,500 new homes, both private and council-owned, between now and 2025, in line with a Government target.
Residents of Cranbrook Avenue voiced their objections to the housing scheme, which will see 18 garages knocked down. A total of 76 people have signed a petition against the proposals to redevelop the land.
Pamela Evans, of Cranbrook Avenue, said: "We have one of the garages and if it is demolished we will have to park our car on the road instead and that is true of many of the residents.
"On the other side of the road the houses don't have drives and on our side they are shared drives. Most of the residents are very angry about this.
"There is also constant flooding and we are worried about new houses putting pressure on the drainage system."
Ingthorpe ward councillor Kath Rowson added: "We know the desperate need for more houses, but the council should be building on other areas and haven't fully looked into the possibility of building them where it won't be so detrimental to residents, who need garages, and are at risk of flooding."
