Bexley faces “serious challenges” around housing as it is revealed that only nine per cent of people on the housing waiting list were re-homed last year.

An investigation by the Local Democracy Reporting service has also found that roughly half of residents re-homed by the council were placed outside the borough due to growing demand.

In figures obtained through a Freedom of Information request, it has emerged that during 2018 there were 648 households re-homed – from a waiting list of 7,612.

Homelessness has surged across the capital in recent years, with these new figures showing the council’s housing waiting list increasing year-on-year since 2015.

In the last three years, the borough’s demand has more than doubled – from 3,480 in 2015 to 7,612 last year.

MORE - Bexley is an 'opportunity area' says housing minster Kit Malthouse

A spokesman for the council said the housing register includes all residents in the borough who “have expressed an interest in a social rented property”.

They said: “The fact they are on the register does not necessarily mean that they have a housing need which requires them to move to social housing.

“The council is currently looking at options to review the register and the Housing Allocations policy to ensure that it better reflects need.

“Proposals will go out for consultation next month with the changes being introduced later in the year.”

From the 648 re-homed last year, 310 were placed in Greenwich, Dartford, Gravesham or further afield.

The figures follow the trend set the previous years, when roughly half of residents were re-homed in other boroughs.

It is understood that approximately two out of three placements are for families with children.

The council said it is having to “increasingly look” outside of Bexley to keep up with growing demand for homeless accommodation.

“In common with local authorities across London, we face serious challenges around housing,” the council’s spokesman said.

MORE - Greenwich council tax to increase for long-term empty homes

“We are increasingly having to look outside our own borough boundaries to meet the growing demand for homeless accommodation.

“Our placements are within neighbouring boroughs, a short distance from Bexley and where there is a supply of accommodation.”

The council said that when in-borough placements become available, those placed outside the borough are brought back in.

Bexley recently became part of the new Capital Letters programme, a collaboration between London councils to improve housing offers.

The figures come following a visit from housing minister Kit Malthouse, who said Bexley should be working towards a “quantum leap” in delivering houses.

In Greenwich, a recent council report showed residents being placed as far out as Havering, Redbridge and Newham for overnight emergency accommodation.