House prices nine times the average wage

THE average cost of houses for sale in the Wrexham area is a staggering £184,000.

That's NINE times the average full-time wage in Wrexham of £20,500 a year, leaving many people unable to afford to live in the community where they grew up.

Just 3% of homes currently for sale in Wrexham cost under £100,000. Even that will be beyond the reach of many average wage earners.

The research was undertaken by the town's Plaid Cymru branch, which has been canvassing voters' views on affordable housing, a key issue in all parts of the borough.

Siôn Aled Owen, Plaid's candidate for the 2007 Assembly elections, said: "Our survey shows how difficult it's become to afford a house in Wrexham, as in other parts of Wales.

"We're also aware from our door-to-door canvassing of how much of an issue it is for young people as well as their parents. Plaid actively campaigns for affordable housing throughout Wales but we're also offering some positive options.

"Firstly, we are committed to helping first-time buyers with a £5,000 grant towards their deposit. This will mean people can access lower mortgage rates and gives real practical help."

He added: "Plaid wants to ensure that affordable housing for community need rather than private developers' greed is a priority in planning applications. We also strongly believe that all new housing developments should include a proportion of council housing.

"In addition to that, we want councils to have the same level playing field as housing associations to improve homes."

Plaid will be distributing information leaflets around the town in the coming weeks highlighting the true cost of housing in Wrexham.

• The survey was carried out in the week 20-27 November 2006 using the Evening Leader property supplement. There were 401 houses for sale in the Wrexham borough area at an average cost of £184,092.

Prisiau tai naw gwaith cyflog arferol

Mae prynu ty yn Wrecsam yn mynd yn fwy a mwy anodd i unrhyw un sydd ar gyflog arferol. Dim ond 3% o’r cartrefi sydd ar werth yn Wrecsam ar hyn o bryd sy’n costio o dan £100,000. Mae hyd yn oed hynny y tu hwnt i lawer ar gyflog cyffredin.
Dydy rhentu’n ddim rhatach - gall fflatiau fod yn £600 y mis ac mae miloedd ar y rhestr aros am fflatiau a thai cyngor.
Meddai Siôn Aled Owen, ymgeisydd Plaid ar gyfer Etholiadau’r Cynulliad 2007: “Gwyddwn pa mor anodd ydy hi bellach i fforddio ty yn
Wrecsam, fel gweddill Cymru. Rydym yn ymwybodol o’n canfasio o ddrws i ddrws pa mor bwysig yw hyn i bobl ifanc a’u rhieni.
“Mae Plaid yn ymgyrchu’n egniol dros dai ffordiadwy ar draws Cymru, ond ar yr un pryd rydym yn cynnig dewisiadau cadarnhaol.
“Yn gyntaf, rydym wedi ymrwymo i gynorthwyo’r rhai sydd am brynu’u cartref cyntaf gyda grant o £5,000 tuag at eu blaendal.
“Bydd hyn yn golygu y gall pobl fanteisio ar raddfeydd morgais is ac mae’n cynnig cymorth ymarferol go iawn."
Ychwanegodd: “Mae Plaid am sicrhau mai’r flaenoriaeth gyda cheisiadau cynllunio fydd tai fforddiadwy er budd y gymuned nid llenwi pocedi dyfnion datblygwyr preifat.
“Credwn yn gryf hefyd y dylai pob datblygiad tai newydd gynnwys cyfran o dai cyngor.
“Yn ogystal, rydym am i gynghorau fod ar yr un telerau â chymdeithasau tai i fedru gwella tai.”
• Y mis diwethaf, gwnaeth cangen Wrecsam Plaid Cymru arolwg o’r tai oedd ar werth yn y dref a’r cyffiniau. Roedd yn arswydus darganfod bod cyfartaledd pris y tai sydd ar werth yn ardal Wrecsam yn £184,000.
Dyna NAW gwaith y cyfartaledd cyflog llawn amser yn Wrecsam o £20,500 y flwyddyn, sy’n golygu bod llawer o bobl yn methu byw yn y gymuned lle cawson nhw eu magu.
Meddai Dr Owen: “Rydym yn cynnig atebion eglur i broblem enfawr yn ein cymunedau.”