The government has given details of its plans for housing in the north-east of England.
Communities minister Baroness Andrews announced that between now and 2021, 128,900 new homes are planned to be added to the region's housing stock, as part of the wider Regional Spatial Strategy aimed at boosting the economy in that part of the country.
The Baroness explained that the extra homes - the equivalent of 7,600 a year - will be required because of the demographic trends of greater longevity and an increasing number of one-person households.
She commented: "If more homes are not built now older people will have fewer choices and the housing ladder will get even further out of reach leaving the next generation with nowhere to live."
The homes plan is tied in with other initiatives concerning the economy, transport and environment in the region.
At present the north-east has the lowest average house price of any region in England and Wales at £127,581, according to Land Registry figures.
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