AFFORDABLE housing is still beyond the reach of many of a city's poorest residents, according to a new report.

Most of the 4,500 people on City of York Council's housing waiting list are on too low an income to afford a discounted sale or shared ownership home.

Suzanne Walters, housing development manager with the council, said: "While a number of people aspire to buy shared ownership and discounted sale opportunities, in reality the majority of homes are not affordable to them."

Under the shared ownership scheme, a purchaser buys a percentage of the house and pays rent on the remaining part, with an option to increase ownership over time.

Purchasers of discounted sale homes buy a fixed percentage of the house. However, the price is based on the market value of a property.