Birmingham City Council’s social housing waiting list has grown to almost 23,500 live applications, following its decision to keep the list open last month.

The current backlog of applications awaiting assessment before they can be added to the housing register is 10,358.

According to a report on housing and homelessness compiled by the housing cabinet minister, councillor Jayne Francis, about 63% of these applications have surpassed the target assessment period of eight weeks.