Home loans too expensive in South East

Residents in the South east are crying out for more affordable homes as increasing numbers of people start to worry about the cost of housing.

The South East England Regional Assembly found that affordable homes to buy or rent is a top priority for four out of five (79 per cent) South East residents.

Additionally, 87 per cent of people are now concerned about the cost of housing in the region.

"These results reinforce our message to Government that increasing supply is only part of the answer to improving housing affordability in the region," commented the Assembly's chief executive Paul Bevan.

"We also need to see new approaches to affordability and greater public investment in housing."

However, opinions are divided over the issue of whether the government needs to increase the general supply of housing.

A majority (57 per cent) regard providing more housing as a priority, while a third (35 per cent) think current rates of development should be maintained.

Another 38 per cent said they thought there should be lower rates of housing development than at present.

Among other results, more than half (55 per cent) of south east residents are concerned about pressures on hospitals and local health services when building new homes.

But overall, 89 per cent of residents rated their quality of life as good.