ONLY 37 affordable homes were built across Christchurch and East Dorset the year before last – just 15 per cent of the councils’ target of 250.

The figure represents a fall from 45 over the previous 12 months which represented 19 per cent of the year’s target.

Both authorities also failed to meet overall house-building targets for the year with just over half (423) of a target of 713 built.

A progress report to East Dorset District Council’s meeting next week shows that the councils are continuing to struggle to provide more homes with a decline in performance over the last financial year.

However, full figures for the last financial year are not expected to be available until the end of September.

The two authorities joined together in 2016 to produce a corporate plan aimed at improving performance in a range of areas, including housing.

Robin Cook, East Dorset District Council cabinet member for planning, said: “There’s no denying that we have had a poor track record in terms of delivering affordable housing over many, many years.

Improving the number of affordable houses which are being built across east Dorset is a top priority for us and I have no doubt that things have got better recently.

“The issue is addressed in our core strategy and local plan, which is being reviewed, and we have been meeting our targets on a number of developments.

“Where affordable houses aren’t included in developments we do get financial contributions which we are able to use through housing associations to build more.

“We know that building more affordable housing will help keep young people and families in the area and it is our top priority.”

Figures published earlier this year showed that both Bournemouth and Poole were both failing to supply enough affordable homes for residents.

Last year more than 3,500 people were on the waiting list for affordable or social housing in Bournemouth with more than 900 people facing a similar situation in Poole.

They also showed that the number of people being moved into homes had fallen in recent years.

Earlier this week the government announced a £163m fund to support community-led groups to develop affordable housing over the next two years.

Homes England chief executive, Nick Walkley, said that the money would help residents to help “solve” problems in providing affordable homes across England.

“We’re determined to increase the supply of homes across all tenures and increase capacity in the housing sector,” he said.

“This is a really important fund which will offer lasting impact”.

Councils are able to apply for funding for infrastructure projects which would make development of new sites more viable through the scheme.