Figures from Northumberland County Council have shown that more than 14,000 of the county's residents are currently on the waiting list for social housing.

The Conservative-led administration has defended its record on the delivery of affordable homes. However, opposition councillors have said that the figures show there is a housing crisis in the county.

The council said that 14,026 people are currently on the Homefinder Register. Of these, 8,200 are in Band 3 as they are "already adequately housed" and "have no assessed housing need".

Northumberland Labour leader Coun Scott Dickinson MBE branded the figures "disgraceful".

He said: "The shocking statistics of 14,026 people in Northumberland being on the waiting list, with around 6,000 not adequately housed, is disgraceful. However, it's important to remember that these statistics represent families, individuals, and in some cases the elderly.

"The Conservatives claim to have met their 'targets', but this only considers the deals they have with developers for what they classify as 'affordable homes'. The majority of these families, individuals, and the elderly are on the council waiting lists, awaiting social homes.

"Despite working hard, they may not have the means to buy their own home. The council needs to actively pursue adding to their council stock."

Coun Colin Horncastle, the council's cabinet member for housing, defended the Tory administration's record.

He said: "We set ourselves a target of delivering 1,000 affordable homes and we have delivered almost double that with more schemes being worked up right now. These are spread right across the County. Improving the quantity and quality of affordable housing in Northumberland really is one of the county council’s top priorities.

"We’re working closely with housing developers, housing associations and the North East Combined Authority to deliver the new affordable housing. We delivered 1,802 affordable homes in the last 5 years, representing about a sixth of all new homes built in the county.

"There are also an additional 1,414 affordable homes (to rent or buy) with planning permission which are due to be built in communities right across Northumberland. The houses vary in size to meet residents different housing needs and include those designed for families, the elderly, single people and our most vulnerable residents.

"Over recent months the council has been working to provide more new affordable housing for rent in Alnwick, Amble, Blyth, Embleton, Hexham and Cramlington.

"With a population of just over 300,000 people spread over almost 2,000 square miles and 5,826 people on the Northumberland Homefinder register in need of housing, it is a real challenge, but wherever we are able, we are working with our partners to provide the right size of affordable housing in the areas they are needed most."

The target for 1,000 affordable homes was set in 2019, to be achieved over a four-year period. Of the 1,802 affordable homes built, 890 were for affordable rent managed by a housing association; 146 were for social rent managed by the county council; and 766 were for various forms of affordable purchase including discounts and shared ownership schemes.

Responding to Coun Dickinson's comments, Coun Horncastle added: "We're doing the best we can. Building social housing is never easy.

"Where are you going to get the money from? The best way to build affordable housing is through the planning system and working with partners.

"If Coun Dickinson can find a pot of money at County Hall, then I will build him plenty of council houses."

The Northumberland Homefinder website, which lists all available council houses and vacant properties of the county's other housing providers, currently states it is experiencing a "high demand" on the service. It adds that the "current housing crisis" is having a "significant impact" on wait times for a suitable home.

A search on the site currently brings up just 27 available properties. Applicants are assessed on their need and given a "priority banding" which is then used to prioritise bids on a property.

These bands range from Band P for those in "urgent housing need" - for example people who are homeless - to Band 3, for those adequately housed. Band 1 is for those applicants with a "high housing need", such as those with a severe medical condition, while Band 2 is for applicants with a "medium housing need" - for example households who suffer from overcrowding.

Commenting on the latest figures, Coun Hill said: "Obviously, the national housing crisis is not the specific fault of NCC.

"However, there appears to be a distinct complacency and lack of urgency from the local authority over this. They are pretty selective about the figures they quote and ignore data which paints a worrying picture regarding, for example, waiting lists and affordable housing targets.

"Far too many residents are homeless, living in cramped conditions and / or suffering economic difficulty due to the gross inequalities the housing market perpetuates. I have now asked the question two times at full council and the administration do not appear to want to recognise the housing crisis, as the emergency it is.”