A CAMPAIGN has been launched to highlight the rising cost of housing in Surrey.

The Homes for Surrey campaign aims to raise awareness about the growing problem of higher rents and housing costs, particularly for young people.

The Surrey-wide campaign will look to work collaboratively with other organisations to make the case for more homes.

In figures released alongside the launch of the campaign, Surrey has the highest housing costs in the country, outside of London.

Prices of houses are significantly higher than neighbouring counties, with homes costing almost 14 times the average salary.

The average house price in the county is £443,131, with annual salaries in the area averaging at £31,918.

It is estimated that an income of over £100,000 would be required for a mortgage.

Compared to neighbouring Hampshire, where the average house price is just £297,932, with an income of £68,099 needed for a mortgage.

Average house prices are 10 times the price of the average annual earnings in Hampshire.

The Homes for Surrey campaign was launched in the same week that Surrey MP and Chancellor Philip Hammond, as well as Communities and Local Government Secretary Sajid Javid MP, outlined a £5 billion fund to bring forward more housing.

Commenting on the launch, spokesperson for the campaign Kevin Fulcher, said: “Surrey is suffering a London-style housing crisis with first time buyers and young people increasingly priced out. The situation is particularly acute for those working in low paid work such as retail and social care.

“Housing is now top of the Government’s agenda because they recognise the scale of the crisis facing many people, and Surrey is particularly affected.

“It is really important that, in Surrey, we make the most of the available spending to tackle this growing crisis.”