Gloucester City Council reviews plans to build more affordable homes
Nearly 5,000 people are currently on a waiting list for an affordable home
Gloucester City Council leaders have said they will investigate proposals to increase the number of affordable homes being built.
Proposals brought by Labour councillors have appealed for more reasonable prices for houses, as the cost of living continues to bite.
According to the latest figures, the average cost of a home in Gloucester was ÂŁ259,000, with a rented house costing ÂŁ927.
Currently, nearly 5,000 people are on the council's waiting list for a house as of August this year.
Now, Labour members are looking to increase the number of affordable properties being built from 20% to 30%.
Speaking during the meeting, Labour councillor Tracy Millard said: "Too many people are being priced out of owning their own home, while rental costs are extortionate and continue to rise.
"A good quality, decent and affordable home is vital to people. It brings stability, security and safety," she added. "Sadly for too many people in Gloucester this is simply not affordable with the costs of a property simply beyond their reach."
The council leaders, made up of Liberal Democrats, said they supported the idea, but called for amendments to the proposal as the council itself was unable to comment on the situation.
“We can’t really use the word commit because of a few things which are outside of our control,” Cllr Sarah Sawyer said.
"It’s a legislative process. We can’t just change the number. We have to have the evidence to back it.
“It might even be more than 30 per cent; the good news is a lot of our strategic sites are being built in Tewkesbury Borough and they have 35 per cent affordable housing requirement.
“Hopefully they might give us more powers or money to ensure more affordable housing is built in the city."
The council unanimously voted in favour of the cabinet to explore the feasibility of increasing the amount of affordable housing in the city.