SOUTHEND Council is spending more than than half a million pounds each year on emergency accommodation after failing to build enough homes.

Data revealed through a freedom of information request shows the council’s bill for running and managing their own hostels for emergency accommodation has risen by 29 per cent – from £379,412 in 2013 to £490,451 in 2017.

Another £116,457 has also been paid for Bed & Breakfast accommodation since September last year.

Labour councillor Matt Dent said: “This really does highlight the absolute need for social housing in Southend. There just isn’t enough.

“If we were building enough, the waiting list wouldn’t be as enormous as it is and we wouldn’t be spending so much on B&Bs.”

The latest data from the Government shows there are 1,668 people on Southend’s housing waiting list and as of November, 225 households either have no known address or are living in hostels, hotels or B&Bs.

Despite this, just 38 affordable homes were delivered in the borough last year, according to the Ministry of Housing.

This represents a 72 per cent drop from the previous year and the lowest number for the whole of South Essex.

The council disputed the housing ministry figure and claimed to have delivered 90 but none of the properties were built for social rent which are considered the most affordable option for people on low income.

The need for this form of housing has been highlighted in a draft of Southend’s development plan for 2050, which notes that those working in the borough have among the lowest average wages of urban areas in the country. Meanwhile, average house prices are amongst the highest in terms of affordability.

Mr Dent added: “Building homes is a good long-term investment for the council. If you invest in social housing you are housing people who desperately need homes, generating income for the council and reducing amount we are spending on housing people temporarily in B&Bs.”

Councillor Tony Cox, cabinet member for adults and housing, said: “With Southend being a very densely populated urban area, space for new developments is often difficult to find. Where space is available, it is important that the right quality of housing is built and we do not just build homes for the sake of it.”

The issue of social housing will be discussed at a meeting of Southend Council tomorrow.