REDBRIDGE Council must provide more affordable homes, according to housing charity Shelter.

The borough-based arm of the national charity, that campaigns for cheaper housing and action for the homeless, said extra houses are needed in Redbridge for the many families living in cramped comditions.

Redbridge also has 2,643 households living in temporary accommodation, such as bed and breakfasts, with 13,200 families on the council's housing waiting list for social housing.

Shelter says that children growing up in poor housing do worse at school, and are more likely to suffer from health problems.

A spokesman for the council said they are looking to provide more affordable homes in the borough during times of economic uncertainty.