More affordable houses are needed in Wychavon, says housing association boss.

Rooftop Housing Group are planning to provide over 150 affordable homes following the news that UK house prices have reached record highs.

However chief executive Boris Worrall believes more are still needed.

He said: “We already know that Wychavon is one of the most expensive places to buy property in the West Midlands, and the situation is getting more difficult.

“People have more to pay on household bills, and with prices increasing past the rate of inflation, saving a 10 per cent deposit to buy a home outright, isn’t an option for so many.

“We have ambitious plans to provide 154 affordable homes over the next 12 months, including 45 shared ownership homes that can be more affordable to buy.”

The most recent Halifax House Price Index, from December 2021, shows that the average UK house price is now £276,091.

This is a rise of £24,500 from the previous year, the greatest year-on-year cash rise since 2003.

The 2021 figure means aspiring homeowners will require a deposit of almost £28,000.

Russell Galley, managing director at Halifax, said: “The housing market defied expectations in 2021.

“We saw the average house price reach new record highs on eight occasions, despite the UK being subject to a ‘lockdown’ for much of the year.

“A lack of available homes for sale, and historically low mortgage rates, have helped drive annual house price inflation to 9.8 per cent, its highest level since July 2007."

One scheme aimed at helping people with small deposits and lower incomes get on the property ladder is shared ownership.

This allows people to buy a 25 to 75 per cent share of a property from a housing association, and pay rent on the rest.

Mr Worrall added: “We want to do so much more for local families.

“Whether that’s through increased funding, planning rules that favour affordable homes, or greater political support.

“We work with politicians from parish to government and will continue to do that to offer more affordable homes to families in South Worcestershire and North Gloucestershire”