Wwhat can we do and should FTC declare a housing crisis? This week the Town Council is to debate whether to call a housing emergency while BBC West are coming Frome as part of a series of features to be broadcast later this month about the difficulties finding affordable accommodation.

Last month there was held by Frome Area Community Land Trust (FACLT) and the Town Council where some housing horror stories were shared.

FACLT (recently united with Fair Housing for Frome) acknowledged that the housing crisis has been going on for some years, with spiralling rents and house prices, increasing homelessness, displacement and housing insecurity. 

In the run up to that meeting they collected real-life stories from local people about their experiences of the housing crisis.

Some of the stories were shared with those attending the meeting, for example a family with a disabled child waiting more than four years for suitable housing, another family with multiple health problems living in a mould-infested house, a pensioner living in their family's shed as they can't afford to rent.

A study conducted by UWE (Housing Affordability in the South West of England March 2023) showed factors affecting affordability in the South-West are high house prices, low earnings, second homes and holiday lets, migration, the impact of right to buy and impacts of national and local policies.

Here in Frome average rents (according to a local rental agency and the meeting) are between £600-£700 for a 1 bed, £850-£975 for a 2 bed, £1000-£1,300 for a 3 bed and £1,400-£1,600 for a 4 bed.

Homefinder Somerset data shows that a total of 684 people are currently waiting for social housing in the Frome area. Last year only 105 social homes became available with an average of 83 bids for every home that is advertised, competition is fierce.

Frome Town Council will meet at the Town Hall on August 9 at 7pm.