NEARLY 1,350 people in the Stroud district are still unable to get a foot on the property ladder, according to a new housing report.

Latest district figures, due to be released on Friday, estimate that 1,337 people cannot afford entry level properties and 300 of those will not be able to get help from Ebley Mill.

But as leading councillors look at ways of addressing the shortfall opposition spokesmen talk of an affordable housing crisis in the district.

"I actually think there is a crisis," said Labour leader Hilary Fowles (Dursley).

"It is not just people who want to get a first foot on the property ladder. There is a mass of young homeless people who are moving from sofa to sofa. "I know of a mum, dad and two children who are all living in a single-roomed flat. We have got to do something.

"The council has got this £2 million a year but I want to know what their plans are. They have got to start planning now."

The report, part of a county-wide housing need survey, claims that a person would need a take-home pay of £1,860 a month to afford a small £135,000 dwelling and living costs.

Council leader Cllr Chas Fellows (Con, Chalford), said council officers were already deciding how to spend their expected £4 million housing windfall, planned to come in two £2 million packages in 2006 and 2007.

"Clearly we need to do something different and something new," he said.

"I have instructed my officers to look at all these issues, including coming up with a different way to deliver affordable housing."