A new £2m project that could help tackle the growing housing crisis has been revealed.

Great Yarmouth Borough Council (GYBC) is looking to create a 'social letting scheme' that will boost the number of affordable rental properties in the district.

It comes as almost 700 people are on the waiting list for council housing with some waiting as long as 35 months to find a home.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Great Yarmouth town hallGreat Yarmouth town hall (Image: Newsquest)

According to a report, the social lettings scheme would be operated by a council-owned company and offer affordable, quality private rented accommodation to households at risk of homelessness.

It would also look to bring empty homes back into use.

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As an interim measure, the council will look to lease up to 50 homes from private landlords.

It is hoped this will help reduce the £500,000 cost it spends a year on temporary accommodation and stop the need to use expensive bed and breakfasts.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Carl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough CouncilCarl Smith, leader of Great Yarmouth Borough Council (Image: Newsquest)

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Council leader Carl Smith said: "This is one of our major challenges and we have seen a huge increase in the number of people at risk of homelessness.

"Using bed and breakfasts is not sustainable but through this scheme we can buy property or work with private landlords to find a longer term solution."

Currently, there are more than 100 households in temporary accommodation with some waiting more than a year to find a home due to a lack of places suitable to rent to meet their needs.

The housing crisis is causing huge pressures for councils across the country.

Recently, GYBC joined other authorities in writing to chancellor Jeremy Hunt, demanding more financial support to tackle the issue. 

A fully costed proposal for the scheme will be revealed next year but members are being asked to agree to £2m in funding towards the programme, which will come from the general fund - money earned from fees and charges for council services such as car parks and leisure centres. 

Councillors will vote on the proposal at the full council meeting later this month on December 14.