THERE are not enough affordable homes in Bradford to meet demand, new figures show.

New housing data from the Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government shows council and housing associations in Bradford are struggling to find enough affordable homes for low-income households.

In the 12 months up to March last year, 4,603 families or individuals were placed in social and affordable housing, but thousands more remain on the waiting list.

As of April 1, 2017, there were still 12,863 applicants waiting for social housing.

Bradford is one of the only places in the country where the council made more affordable housing offers to people in 2016/2017 than it did five years ago, up two per cent from the same period in 2012/2013.

Social rents are usually no more than 50 per cent of the market rate and are set nationally.

In Bradford, 83.5 per cent, were for social rent.

Chief executive of the Chartered Institute of Housing Terrie Alafat said: “For many people on lower incomes, the only truly affordable option is social rent.

“It is simply unacceptable that we are losing so many of our most affordable homes at a time when more and more people are in need.

“Government investment is still heavily skewed towards the private market. Our analysis shows that 79 per cent of the housing budget up to 2020/21 is directed towards private housing, with just 21 per cent going to affordable housing.

Social housing is managed by councils and housing associations, which are independent not-for-profit companies.

Both are failing to build enough new homes to keep up with demand..

In the 12 months to March 2017, 230 new affordable homes were completed in Bradford.

And just 10 of these were the most affordable homes, let at social rents.

A Bradford Council spokesperson said: “The council is committed to working across the district with its partners to ensure that the need for social and affordable housing is identified and met.

“The council, along with registered providers in Bradford, offer different types of housing options to meet people’s needs. These include: social housing, shared ownership, supported housing and private rented.

“We cannot comment on these specific figures as it is unclear how they have been arrived at.”

An Incommunities spokesperson added: “In 2016/17, 2,770 families and individuals successfully moved into social housing with Incommunities.

“In the year to March 2017 we delivered 94 new affordable homes across the district. All these properties were let either for social or affordable rent. This year we will deliver 117 new homes for rent.”