New Forest 'among least affordable locations in South East' for home-buyers

Figures released today reveal how residents have to part with 14 times a typical income to buy an average priced property in the sought-after area.

The cost of getting a foot on the housing ladder with an average home has risen to £264,973 – 13.9 times the typical £19,038 salary in the New Forest.

The National Housing Federation (NHF), which produced the statistics, says the astonishing gap makes home buying in the area “out of reach” for most. With national house-building targets being axed, the organisation is calling on the Government to continue to invest in affordable homes.

Housing quota The figures come just months after building work began on the first council houses to be built in the Forest for 25 years.

Long standing district councillor Maureen Holding said: “Housing has always been very difficult in the New Forest – but it is difficult everywhere.

“It would be would be wonderful if new houses were made available but the National Park has a small quota.

“New Forest District Council has got a good record in trying to get as much housing as it should but it is ever so difficult.”

The statistics reveal how the cost of an average home in Hampshire has hit £264,389 – 11 times the average individual salary of £22,225. The annual income needed to secure a mortgage in the county now stands at £63,357, according to the NFA.

The more affordable places to buy in Hampshire are Gosport and Portsmouth at 8.2 times the average income of just under £20,000.

The New Forest tops the tables in this county, but comes ninth in the South East below Elmbridge in Surrey where would-be homeowners will have to find 17.8 times more than their average £29,156 incomes.

Warren Finney, South East regional manager for the NHF, said: “Housing need across the South East is reaching desperate levels and Hampshire is no exception with one of its wards among the top ten least affordable parts of the region.

“With the government bringing in sweeping changes, the axing of Regional Spatial Strategies and the challenges of the current economic climate, the emphasis is increasingly being placed on local authorities to ensure housing needs in their areas are being properly assessed and met.”