THE true plight of the first-time house buyer in York has finally reached the ears of the Government.

Booming property prices, the selling-off of council houses and low wages in the city have combined to put even the most modest of homes out of the reach of many families.

City of York Council has been well aware of the problem for years and has frantically cast around for a solution.

Now, in desperation, it has put the full facts before Westminster, to try to show the Government it is not just south of Watford where there is a housing problem.

York is a victim of its own success. The city is booming, it is a beautiful place to live, and those who can afford it are willing to pay the price to settle here. Well-paid workers in neighbouring Leeds are willing to commute and pay York prices rather than live in the sprawling West Yorkshire conurbation.

Government legislation dictates that councils must allow residents to buy their council houses. No new council housing is being built unless it is hand in hand with such as housing associations.

Combine that with market forces and it means rocketing prices for the limited number of properties still available in York.

The mathematics of the equation are simple: the average price for a terraced house in York is £95,000; the average family wage is a mere £20,864. The two figures together equal either renting or homelessness - and a council house waiting list of 4,500 households.

The problem is further aggravated by the instability of investment. Many people are looking to secure their retirement by buying up second and third properties to rent out and later sell at a healthy profit.

York Council leader Dave Merrett revealed in the recent Evening Press online debate that the council was to insist that 50 per cent of any new housing development will be affordable homes.

But in a city with gold nugget land prices, that will not be an attractive proposition for developers who would rather put up luxury flats or executive homes.

It may seem ludicrous for boomtime York to ask the Government for help with a social problem. But a solution to York's housing needs is beyond the powers of the local council. The city needs help - now.

Updated: 12:32 Friday, November 01, 2002