Trends in Housing Affordability in Warwickshire

• Housing became less affordable for people on the lowest incomes during Housing Affordability the late 1990s. Current house price to income ratios are still consider- ably higher than ten years ago, despite the economic downturn. Housing unaffordability peaks in 2005 and 2006 then, as house prices The ratio of lowest quartile house prices to lowest quartile annual incomes temporarily fall in 2009, affordability improves. • In 2005, the cheapest housing in Stratford-on-Avon District cost more than ten times the annual income of the lowest paid workers. • Note how less affordable housing is in Stratford-on-Avon District than the average for the South East, traditionally regarded as the most expensive place to live. 10 North Warwickshire Nuneaton & Bedworth Rugby Stratford-on-Avon Warwick Warwickshire West Midlands Region South East Region England 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 Source: Department for Communities & Local Government | http://bit.ly/OUNRME