COUNCIL leader Paul Smith unravelled what is fuelling Colchester’s homeless crisis and cited garden communities as a viable solution.

Speaking at the cabinet meeting, Mr Smith tried to explain the options available for the 4,839 families on the housing needs register as of March 2017.

“Well, they could buy their own property but the lowest quartile house price rose 15 per cent from £165,000 to £190,000 in just one year,” he began.

“That’s £190,000 to buy the cheapest accommodation in Colchester.

“The average median income is £21,000 a year - that’s eight or nine times your annual income to buy a property.”

Mr Smith then went on to the private sector where the average rent for a three-bed home is £229 but Local Housing Allowance is £161.

He also said various Government policies including the social rent reduction policy has drained £100 million from the borough and reduced the number of social housing units.

He said: “This is why we have a housing crisis.

“Yes, we need to find a way to build more homes and one of the key areas we’ve got to do that is in the garden communities because if we have a Local Development Corporation which owns the land, we can ensure social housing is built."

To listen to the full debate, click here