THE SNP is facing increased pressure over social housing after it was claimed local authority waiting lists are at "crisis point".
Figures obtained by the Liberal Democrats show more than 120,000 housing applicants have been on a waiting list for over a year, as of last October, while more than 81,000 have been waiting for a home for over two years.
The figures are the latest blow to the social housing sector after it was revealed that the housing budget is to be cut by around 40% and it is now cheaper to buy a home than to rent one.
Jim Hume, LibDem housing spokesman, claimed that social housing is now at crisis point, and called on the SNP to commit again to a pledge to build 6000 socially rented homes each year.
He said: "It is clear that Scotland's housing crisis requires urgent action from the Scottish Government.
"With over 81,000 households stuck on local authority waiting lists for over two years, ministers need to focus on building more homes for social rent, so that these families can finally access a home.
"It has been hugely disappointing to see the Scottish Government move away from its manifesto commitment to build 6000 socially rented homes each year, replacing it with homes that require an element of purchase.
"There has been growing anger at the backtracking by ministers over recent months."
Of the local authorities which responded to LibDems freedom of information requests, Edinburgh has the longest housing application waiting lists.
The city council has more than 10,000 applicants waiting for over two years while the council deals with 25,522 in total.
Glasgow, Inverclyde and the Borders were unable to provide information as they had transferred their housing stock to housing associations
Hume added: "The approaching 2012 homelessness target brings the need for more socially rented homes into even sharper focus.
"If the SNP Government does not make the right choices on housing it is clear that thousands of families will be left on housing lists for many more years."
The Scottish Government is already facing criticism from the Labour party after it was revealed that it plans to cut the housing budget from £363.7 million in 2011-12 to £214.8m in 2012-13 – a drop of just under 41%.
Richard Baker, Labour finance spokesman, said: "This cut tells you everything you need to know about the SNP's commitment to home-building. This will be a terrible blow for people waiting for a home.
"At a time when demand for housing is increasing, this SNP cut will mean the thousands of people across Scotland who are waiting for affordable homes will be left waiting even longer."
A study by the Bank of Scotland also suggested that more Scots may turn to buying a house after it was revealed that it is now cheaper to buy than to rent.
Average monthly mortgage payments for a three-bedroom house in Scotland were £510 in December 2011, 6% lower than the average monthly rent of £540 paid on the same property type.
However, Housing Minister Keith Brown insisted the Government was on track to help home buyers and renters, with more than 6000 affordable homes being built each year, of which more than 4000 will be social homes.
He said: "That is a higher rate of affordable housing, and a comparable rate of social housing, than was achieved by the previous administration during the boom years."
Brown is also looking at cutting the number of long-term empty houses in Scotland by allowing councils to sell the properties.
He has launched a consultation on the issue and will work with Shelter Scotland and the Scottish Empty Homes Partnership on proposals to cut the 25,000 empty homes blighting the country.
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