Thousands of households were classed as overcrowded in Bolton, according to figures from the 2021 census.

Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows around 6,815 homes were judged to be overcrowded in Bolton – 5.7 per cent of all homes in the area.

Meanwhile, 78,965 homes (66.5 per cent) were classed as "under-occupied" – meaning they had rooms to spare.

Overcrowding is calculated by looking at how many rooms are available in a residence and assessing whether they are adequate for the number of people living there.

The ONS data show renters were more likely to live in crowded accommodation than those who own their own homes.

In Bolton, private renters and those living rent free were most likely to struggle for space, with 9.8 per cent impacted.

As of 2021, there were around 3,840 households with dependent children suffering from a lack of space in Bolton.

Across England, households comprised of people of black backgrounds had the highest rates of overcrowding, at 16.1 per cent of homes – compared to 4.4 per cent across the general population.

In addition, Muslim households were five times as likely to be overcrowded.

In a comment provided to The Bolton News, from the charity, Shelter, Polly Neate, chief executive of Shelter, said: “Thousands of families with children are living in impossibly cramped conditions as the dire shortage of social housing forces more and more people into unsuitable, expensive, and insecure private renting. 

“Frozen housing benefit and sky-high rents mean more and more renters are crammed into places far too small to meet their needs because there are simply no other options available.

“What struggling families need are stable and genuinely affordable homes where they can thrive.

“The government must address the over reliance on private renting and invest in a new generation of social housing to give everyone the chance of a safe and secure place to live.” 

Ben Twomey, chief executive of the campaign group Generation Rent, said a failure to build enough homes and stop "skyrocketing" rents has put private renters in a tricky situation.

"If you have children or are an older renter, being forced into an overcrowded house can be particularly stressful," he added.

Sam Tims, senior economist at the New Economics Foundation, said it was no surprise some groups were suffering worse housing conditions.

He said: "Every family deserves to live in an affordable and comfortable home, near to friends and family with access to good public services.

"Yet while over two-thirds of houses across the country are under-occupied, the worsening housing emergency is forcing over a million households to live in homes too small for their needs."

Mr Tims further cautioned a "miserly" welfare system was further exacerbating the problem.

London had a far higher rate of overcrowded housing than any other region of England and Wales. Every one of the top 10 most crowded areas was in the capital – other than Slough, in London's commuter belt.

Both the New Economics Foundation and Generation Rent said building more social homes is the first step to tackling the issue.

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.