1:30pm Wednesday 11th November 2009
By Andy Carswell
WAITING lists for affordable housing in Buckinghamshire have increased by nearly two thirds in the last five years, new figures show.
A report released by the National Housing Federation today shows average house prices in the south Bucks and Chiltern districts are almost twenty times the average income.
Nationally the average price of a home in 2008 was £267,573 – 12 times the average income.
In south Bucks the average cost is £530,075 and in Chiltern it is £506,960, making the districts second and third in a list of the least affordable areas in the country. Top of the list was Chichester in West Sussex.
The National Housing Federation, which launched its 'Home Truths' report today, said this had led to more people applying for social housing.
The report says there are 7,830 households in the county on waiting lists – a 63.7 per cent increase in the last five years.
On top of this, the south east of England has had the largest rise in second home ownership.
Simon Nunn, Head of the South Region for the National Housing Federation, said: “The figures in our Home Truths report paint a clear picture of the difficult situation facing families in the South East who are looking for a home.
“With the combination of a growing population, rising unemployment and increased repossessions, coupled with a major shortfall in social housing in the region, it’s no surprise that waiting lists are continuing to grow.”
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