Concerns large families are squeezing into small homes

Large families are being let down by a lack of suitable housing.

That’s the claims of one Rutherglen councillor, who took to social media to try and address the issue.

Only two per cent, or 38 properties, of the 2242 homes owned by South Lanarkshire Council (SLC) have room for four bedrooms in the whole of the town.

The council say the vast majority of locals are seeking smaller one or two bedroom homes, but concerns have been raised that larger families are squeezing into smaller homes due to a lack of available spaces.

Rutherglen Central and North councillor Martin Lennon, pictured, raised the issue after being told by a housing official there were only a handful of homes of that capacity in his ward.

He hit out:“There are significantly more bookies in my town than council houses big enough for a large family.”

Labour politician James Kelly said he has been dealing with several cases where families have been left on waiting lists for years while hoping a property large enough for their needs becomes available.

He said:“It is quite shocking only two per cent of SLC’s housing stock is of four or more bedroomed houses. I regularly deal with people who have been left on council house waiting lists for very long periods of time, more often than not, waiting for a four bedroomed property.

“I respectfully disagree with the council’s suggestion there is adequate stock of larger properties to meet the demand. The reality is very clear – larger families are frequently left in overcrowded and cramped accommodation, while they spend years on waiting lists as a result of the council’s failure to provide the properties our communities need.”

SLC insist the number of large homes in the region is suitable, saying only three per cent of applicants on the waiting list are looking for a four bedroom home.

Executive director of housing and technical resources, Daniel Lowe, said demand for all sizes of properties saw the council experience pressure.

He said:“We are working to deliver much needed additional affordable housing across the area . Our housing stock in Rutherglen predominantly comprises of one and two bedroom properties, which accounts for 76 per cent of all stock– three and four bedroom properties account for 22 per cent and two per cent respectively.

“At the same time demand is from those seeking smaller properties, with 81 per cent of households on the housing register in Rutherglen seeking either a one or two bedroom home, while 16 per cent of applicants are looking for a three bedroom property and three per cent of applicants are registered for a four bedroom property.”

Along with the regeneration of the Fernhill area, Mr Lowe said there is potential to update social housing availability, with new build programmes currently underway at Whitlawburn, Gilbertfield and Cairns in Cambuslang, all of which“include larger three and four bedroom homes.”