The number of empty houses in Maidstone has doubled in two years.

Figures obtained by Maidstone Green Party show the borough had 1,610 empty homes in April this year, compared to 831 in 2006.

The figures were released to the party under the Freedom of Information Act.

They also show the council did not issue any Empty Dwellings Management Orders to bring the houses back into use and the council has set a target of bringing 38 homes back into use this year.

Stuart Jeffery, Green Party prospective parliamentary candidate for Maidstone and the Weald, said: "The housing situation in Maidstone is scandalous. Despite high amounts of house building in the town, the reality of the recession means that few are now being built. With social housing waiting lists continuing to rise, we want the council to bring empty properties into use.

"Even though the council agreed a strategy for empty homes last year, we have discovered that it has not used its powers to issue any Empty Dwellings Management Orders. With around 2000 people waiting for homes and over 1600 lying empty, the housing problem could be eased by bringing these homes back into use.

"The number of empty homes has doubled in the past two years and the number of people needing homes has nearly tripled over the last ten years. Urgent action is needed."