MORE than 100 new affordable homes are to be made available in Richmondshire thanks to a £5.1m Government funding package.

The lack of low-cost homes has been identified as a major problem in parts of North Yorkshire, particularly in rural communities where rocketing prices are beyond the pockets of most first-time buyers.

As a result, young people are being forced to leave the areas where they have been brought up because they are unable to find anywhere affordable to live.

The Government grant will pay for 115 new homes over the next two years; 60 will be new properties, nine will be purchased and the remainder will be tied in with the recently-announced extra care housing scheme for the elderly, which is to replace the council-run sheltered housing complex and residential home in Bainbridge in Wensleydale.

Coun Richard Dunn, chairman of Richmondshire District Council's community committee, said: "Increasing house prices means affordable housing is an issue of growing concern for a greater number of people.

"The council is working hard to increase the supply of good quality, affordable housing available to rent in the area and this latest funding allocation provides a very welcome boost."

The money will be invested in new homes in Richmond, Hawes, Colburn, Brompton-on-Swale, Skeeby and Catterick Village and either Middleham or Leyburn.

The Home Group Partnership will provide another four both this year and next in rural areas outside the Yorkshire Dales National Park, through a purchase and refurbishment scheme.

One more will be acquired through the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust's Homebuy scheme, which enables a beneficiary to purchase a property using a 25pc interest-free loan, repayable when the home is sold.

The extra care housing scheme at Bainbridge will see 21 new units for the elderly replace the current homes at Sycamore Close and the nursing home at High Hall.

Rick Elliott, the housing corporation's assistant director of investment for the region, said: "Working closely with Richmondshire District Council and local housing associations, we've put together a programme which will help around 300 local people achieve their dream of a decent, affordable home in this area."