A PETITION with 1,000 names calling for more affordable housing in York has been handed to the city council.

The campaign was started by York man Dan Taylor, and calls for family housing and affordable homes to be prioritised.

Dan said it was a “running joke” among York residents that new developments in the city will either be luxury flats or student accommodation.

He said: “This petition sends City of York Council the message it needs to start looking after its residents' housing needs, and stop approving luxury flats that are being sold off to external investors.”

People signing on the petition’s webpage on Change.org have shared stories of “frustration, anger and sadness” at their own housing struggles, he added.

Dan was backed by York Central MP Rachael Maskell and Labour housing spokesman on the city council Cllr Margaret Wells.

Cllr Wells said: “We need more York residents to follow Dan’s example and speak up about the issues which matter to them.”

The MP said she heard everyday from people living in overcrowded conditions, or with parents, because they cannot buy or rent a home of their own in York.

City of York Council leader Ian Gillies said the council was working with developers to increase the current 15 per cent of housing that is affordable to rent or buy.

He added: “We use our relationships with developers and the powers we have to secure as much affordable housing as possible within private developments. Two of the big challenges councils face is securing a larger proportion of affordable homes, and making sure that these homes are built quickly.”

The council is investing £40 million building and buying council homes, he added, and is developing its own land for housing.