Kingston is the 17th most expensive place in the country for key workers to buy a home, according to a Joseph Rowntree Foundation study.

The study found the average price for a two-bedroom home was £181,000 requiring an income of £57,600 to finance it. All key workers in Kingston fell significantly short of this figure, with teachers on £25,900, police officers on £29,200, social workers on £21,300 and nurses on £22,200.

A second report published earlier this month backed the Rowntree findings. It emerged homebuyers need to be earning on average £55,058 to buy an average price home, calculated at £202,845. The report by the London Housing Federation looked at how a lack of affordable housing is forcing Londoners into poverty.

It revealed the cost of buying a house in Kingston stabilised over 2001-2, but that it has become more expensive for single people to rent a flat. The average cost of renting a one-bedroom flat has risen from £148 in 1999 to £170 a week in 2002. However, the average rent for a three-bedroom flat has fallen from £304 to £254.

A federation spokesman said there was a higher demand in London for smaller rented homes for young professionals and couples who cannot afford to buy a property.

The report also showed 71 affordable homes were built with government funding in Kingston last year but 31 council properties were lost through right to buy. Kingston's council house waiting list rose from 3,723 to 3,971.

Executive member for health and community Councillor Rolson Davies said housing problems were impacting on council services. He said: "We have a shortage of occupational therapists. One of the factors must be the cost of living in Kingston. The effect of that means there is a delay in assessing people leaving hospital and that is blocking beds."

He said the council organised a conference in March to discuss the shortage of affordable housing. Senior councillors are to meet to draw up an action plan but he stressed the council has limited powers.

May 30, 2003 10:00