Figures which have revealed that one adult and one child have been on the social housing waiting list for 36 and 13 years respectively have been branded “shocking”.
A Freedom of Information request sent to Moray Council revealed that as of September last year a total of 2221 children were waiting for social housing in Moray with the local authority dealing with 1210 applications.
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross has labelled the figures “appalling”.
Over 5000 adults are also looking for social housing in the region with the longest wait revealed to be 36 years for one individual.
The longest time a child has been on the housing list is 13 years.
Moray Council says that it operates a “needs-based allocations policy”.
The total number of points an individual has on their application determines their placement on the housing list.
Points are not awarded for length of time spent on the list.
A Moray Council spokesperson said: “While we are unable to comment on individual applications, Moray Council’s allocation policy prioritises applicants with the greatest housing needs to ensure that those with the most urgent requirements are given appropriate support.”
Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross says the figures are “appalling” adding that the Scottish Government must change its housing policies.
Mr Ross said: “It is disgraceful that one young person has been waiting 13 years, which is scarcely believable.
“These young people shouldn’t be languishing on housing waiting lists. They should have stability and somewhere to permanently call home.
“SNP ministers have completely failed to get a grip of the housing emergency facing us here in Moray and across Scotland.
“As well as children, over 5,000 adults are also on waiting lists and councils simply do not have the resources to meet this growing demand.
“It is time for the SNP to accept that their current housing policies are not working and change their approach.
“If they don’t these waiting lists will only continue to escalate.”