Here's new proof today, if any were wanted, that housing is the biggest problem facing Brighton and Hove City Council.

The waiting list has thousands of people on it and is growing steadily. Some people in need face being on it for years.

There are more than 1,800 people on the transfer list because they are living in unsuitable council housing.

Brighton and Hove has almost no land left for new housing development. It cannot build low-cost homes because this is now the job of housing associations.

House prices and rents are soaring in a city where wages are low. Housing benefit levels are not high enough to cover many private rents.

Homeless levels are the highest in the UK outside London, while the bedsitter belt contains thousands of people living in poverty.

Much is being done by the council and other agencies to tackle this crisis, which causes huge social misery. The Government is helping but more aid is required.

Urgent action is needed to raise benefit levels and the council must be allowed to have more affordable housing as part of new private schemes.

It should be easier for councils such as Brighton and Hove to buy accommodation in appalling condition and renovate them to provide decent cheap homes.

Good housing is a basic human right which is being denied to many people, plenty of them born and bred in the city.