Almost 600 families are still in limbo land without permanent accommodation in Barnet - with some on the waiting list for five years.

Figures obtained by Hendon's Labour MP Andrew Dismore, revealed from June 2007 and 2008 the number of families waiting to be permanently housed after five years increased from 510 to 594.

The council's ability to get people out of the nightmare situation has also been found flagging - the number of temporary tenants rehoused permanently dropped from 191 from September 2006 to August 2007 to 147 between September 2007 and August 2008

While there has been some small drop of those on the list more than half of those have been in regeneration estates.

Dismore, has called the situation a "disgrace" and said the council has "delayed" regeneration schemes.

'Misleading'

However, speaking to the Barnet and Potters Bar Times,  cabinet member for community services Lynne Hillan, called the figures obtained under the Freedom of Information Act "misleading" and called the Government’s classification of temporary accommodation "wildly inaccurate".

She said:

"Many of that number are housed in high-quality housing on our estates. But Whitehall insists we still classify these tenants as temporary, despite the fact we have provided them with a long-term home."