PEOPLE on Bolton Council’s housing list could be waiting until 2019 for a suitable home.

The claim, made by housing charity Shelter, puts the local authority among the worst in the country.

Figures to the end of June show there were 23,545 people on the Town Hall’s database for homes. Last year, 2,062 people were given homes.

Council chiefs say they are not unique in having a shortage of affordable homes and that a number of measures are being taken to combat the problem.

But Caroline Davey, of Shelter, said the problem needed to be tackled now.

She said: “The figures clearly show the desperate lack of affordable housing in Bolton and how we are simply not building enough homes.

“The news will be a major blow to thousands of people who may have to spend this Christmas, and many more in run-down, unaffordable, temporary or overcrowded accommodation.”

Bolton’s 10 year projected waiting figure is above the regional average of five years and the national average of seven years Shelter has called on the town’s MPs to ensure local housing issues are a top election priority.

Ms Davey added: “Even if you’re a judged as a priority, you could still be waiting years to secure a council home. The only way to give people hope is for the Government and political parties to make housing investment a top election priority.”

The publication of the figures coincided with Shelter’s new campaign, called Big Build-Up, to raise awareness of help for people with housing needs this Christmas.

A Bolton Council spokesman said: “Like all local authorities, we have a real shortage of affordable housing and we’re committed to tackling the issue.

“The council implements an affordable housing planning policy that we actively pursue on new developments to secure affordable housing. By April, 2010, 114 new affordable homes will have been built.

“We also recently announced details of our Transforming Estates programme, which aims to develop around 6,000 new homes, of which 3,000 will be for sale and 3,000 for affordable rent over the next 12 years, dependent on various factors.

“We have already negotiated around £9 million to start the first part of the programme, which is the development of 147 new homes. Work is set to start in early December.

“We have also been successful in securing £1 million to build 17 new council homes in Little Lever.”