York's housing crisis 'unique'

The data is a boost to the city's hopes of ending the "right to buy" council houses at hugely-reduced prices.

York was excluded from a list of 41 areas where the maximum reduction available to tenants could be cut by £22,000 in a bid to prevent a shortage of affordable houses.

But the Government has now published new research on which parts of the country are facing the most severe problems.

For the first time, it takes into account the link between property prices and average earnings. It also examines the number of people waiting for a council house.

York faces more serious problems than bigger cities such as Leeds and Manchester - considered booming property "hot spots" - in almost every category.

York MP Hugh Bayley seized on the data, saying it proved York should be viewed as a special case.

He told the Evening Press: "This shows there is more demand for council housing in York than elsewhere in the north of England.

"I am urging the city council to join me in pressing the Government to provide more support for public housing, including restrictions on the Right to Buy."

The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister, which published the data, said it recognised the difficulties faced by York.

A spokesman said the qualification for the Right to Buy restriction was being kept under "constant review".

According to Mr Bayley, City of York Council is losing homes under the

"right to buy" at a rate of 170 properties a year.

The average discount being picked up by buyers is £23,000.

Yet only 110 new social and housing association homes are being built each

year to replace them - leading to a shortage in the sector.

Campaigners in the city had hoped to be included in the Government's original list of 41 authorities allowed to limit right to buy, which was introduced by former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

In these areas, the maximum reduction was cut from £38,000 to £16,000.

Updated: 10:54 Thursday, June 19, 2003