More than 1,600 households are now on the housing register in West Dorset.

The latest figures, for the first quarter of the financial year, show a steady rise over the previous quarter – a trend which had continued for several years.

West Dorset now stands at 1,694 registered as wanting a home. Figures for the previous quarter were 1,685.

The statistics, which will go before local councillors next week (Sept 11), also show West Dorset is not meeting its target for processing housing register applications in time, taking an average of 12 days compared to the target of nine days.

West Dorset is the highest on the list, with the number of households registered as wanting a home in Weymouth and Portland standing at 1,676 and North Dorset at 958.

The report states that some staff shortages and changes in team members account for missing the targets but that the figures for the following quarter, should be close to, or on target, once again.

While waiting lists have grown the number of families being housed in housing association properties has fallen, or remained static.

In West Dorset, councillors will be told that there has been a sharp slow down in households being placed in homes due to fewer new builds and relets becoming available. In North Dorset the figures are down a little and in Weymouth and Portland remains static.

The West Dorset figures show 68 households being placed, compared to 102 in the previous quarter; in North Dorset there were 31, compared to 37 in the previous quarter and in Weymouth and Portland 42, the same as the previous quarter.

All three councils have seen a fall in new applications, compared to the previous winter quarter which is usually higher.

At the same time the number of households in temporary, bed and breakfast accommodation has fallen to five in West Dorset, compared to six the previous quarter; North Dorset to four, compared to two the previous quarter, but has increased to 21 in Weymouth and Portland compared to 17 the previous quarter.