The solution to Swindon’s 'housing crisis' is more homes for rent, both from the council and in the private sector, according to the town's Labour Group.

It is promising to build 1,000 new council homes over the next five years, should it come to power.

The group’s housing spokesman Coun Emma Bushell said: “Many families in Swindon are finding it increasingly difficult to afford to buy and rent housing.

Last year 240 children were living in temporary accommodation and there are over 3,000 local people on the waiting list for council housing.

“The current council has built only a handful of new council houses in the last 10 years. More council houses means more local families can afford to live in a good quality home of their own.”

She said the housing company set up to build houses to earn money for the authority should build for rent, adding: “Swindon’s Conservative council has spent £400,000 to set up a housing company which has yet to build a single house.

“By using it to build houses for private rent the council will increase the amount of rental housing available, raise the amount of high quality housing for rent and provide an example of how we expect private landlords to act. This will also generate an income for the council through rent receipts.”

The final pledge is to tackle homelessness. Coun Bushell said: “The number of rough-sleepers in Swindon has gone up six-fold in the last five years. The number of invisible homeless – people sofa-surfing or being put up by relatives – has also increased dramatically. During that period, The Conservative council has not had a coherent homelessness reduction strategy in place. A Labour council will work with local charities to introduce a strategy as a priority.

“We will develop an effective housing first strategy - which gives homeless people accommodation whilst offering support for any underlying problems they might have - to ensure no-one has to sleep on the streets.”

But senior Conservative councillors were criticical.

Cabinet member for housing Cathy Martyn said: “Where is the money coming from?

“We base our spend on the housing revenue account budget which is worked out over 30 years.

"However, all our borrowing must be prudent. The Queens Drive regeneration tenure is under discussion and could include a block for rent under Rent Co. I am pleased that Labour would support this aspect of any tenure mix and equally glad that they would support this form of income.”

Cabinet member for strategic planning Gary Sumner added: “We are already developing a strategy where some of the homes built will be acquired by Rent Co for long-term rental. We believe that new developments should deliver up to 30 per cent affordable housing in a mix of tenures.

“Housing is delivered in a range of ways, private homes for sale, privately rented homes, affordable homes and council or housing association homes.

“

The market will (if properly supported) deliver all of the above. The old fashioned concept of ‘we will build council estates’ divides society and is rarely successful

.”

Local elections are on May 2.