According to data uncovered in a Freedom of Information Request, 644 housing applications have been on Oldham’s register for between five and 10 years, and eight applications have waited for over 10 years.

The longest application has been on the council’s system since 2006 – over 15 years.

Compared to other boroughs in Greater Manchester, Oldham had the second-highest number of people on the housing waiting list for between five and ten years after Manchester.

Accounting for population, Oldham has the highest number of applications on the waiting list for this period out of all the Greater Manchester boroughs – though one application for housing can include multiple residents.

Salford and Tameside did not provide figures.

Cllr Hannah Roberts, the Cabinet member for housing, said: “Everyone deserves to have a home and a roof over their head.

“However, we are in the middle of a social housing crisis.

"Demand for housing in Oldham increases weekly, while the number of homes to let every week is really low so we must sadly prioritise housing applicants who are most in need – particularly people with children or a disability.

“Unfortunately, this means some residents are on our housing list longer than others, but this situation isn’t unique to Oldham, and it is a problem faced by many other local authorities across the country."

She continued: “Additionally, our Housing Options service is a choice-based system, so residents bid on properties they would like to live in.

"Some residents may only bid on a property in a certain area which means they wait longer to find a home.

“In the meantime, our housing team work tirelessly to help anyone who needs support, including advice on all housing options such as private rented accommodation.

“Due to our low wage economy though, the reality of our situation is that a home at a social rent is the only affordable option for many Oldham residents.

“Despite that, we struggle to provide more social homes.

"Many of the schemes labelled ‘affordable’ are just not within the reach of many Oldham households in housing need and Right to Buy continues to reduce our social homes stock.

“The impetus provided by Places for Everyone will help us to build the different kinds of homes Oldham needs, including homes for social rent.

“Our Housing Strategy sets out clearly the high unmet need in Oldham and our Flexible Housing Fund will help us to deliver the decent homes our residents deserve.”