Research published today in Shelter's Roof magazine, reveals a deepening crisis of affordability across England as mortgage payments as a percentage of income hit a 10-year high of more than 20%.

There are concerns that some first-time buyers may have taken on too much debt and could struggle if rates rise and as wages fail to keep pace with house prices.

Shelter said a typical first home in England is now 60% less affordable than a decade ago.

Shelter warns that the affordability crisis, which has been compounded by the loss of social housing through right to buy and low levels of new provision, is hitting homeless families and those on lower incomes the hardest.

This is reflected in the record numbers of households living in temporary accommodation, more people living in overcrowded conditions and more people being unable to afford their own home.

The annual ROOF affordability index, which was devised by York University professor Steve Wilcox, reveals that the South West of England is outstripping all other parts of the country, including London, as the least affordable place to own a home compared to the average income of local residents.

The average home across England is now 57% less affordable than in 1994 while mortgage payments for first time buyers are now 33% higher than the average over the last twenty years.

According to the study, mortgage payments now make up 20.4% of incomes compared with 20.5% at the peak of the last housing boom in 1990.

Shelter director Adam Sampson says: "The point of ROOFs findings is that they show not only how difficult it is for first time buyers to get on the housing ladder, but that there will be extra pressure on the limited social housing stock."

"This in turn could see greater numbers of families ending up trapped in temporary accommodation along with widening social inequality. The only long-term solution to the housing crisis and increasing problems of affordability is for a massive affordable house-building programme."