Social tenants are finding themselves living in unsuitable accommodation because of a lettings shortfall, claims a new paper.
Human City Institute's latest publication has estimated that the UK economy loses up to £542 million a year because of the difficulties faced by tenants wanting to move, Inside Housing has reported.
Some of the costs incurred by the taxpayers included impact on health from poor-quality housing, care costs and benefits paid to those that cannot move to take up better paid employment.
The report called for a new register for both local authorities and social landlords so that tenants can move home more easily.
Property investors could have a key role in the future, as the private rented sector expands to offer more
affordable homes for households unable to buy.
Kevin Gulliver of the Human City Institute said that the situation was only likely to get worse, unless councils become more resourceful.
"In the current environment of austerity we are likely to see a continuing fall in the numbers of newly built social homes as well as an increased demand for social housing.
"So it's more important than ever that existing social housing stock is used as efficiently as possible," he commented.
See Also: Property News (6701)
Date Published: 28 July 2010
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