Braintree is suffering from a housing shortage, leaving many people priced out of living in their area.

An analysis of government figures by the National Housing Federation shows the district needs 634 new homes immediately after just 190 homes were built last year against a target of 824.

The shortfall is the third worst in the county behind Colchester and Tendring.

There was also a 207 home shortfall in social housing, contributing to long waits on housing association lists.

In total, Essex is short of 4,730 new homes while in the East of England as a whole more than 15,000 are needed.

Claire Astbury, external affairs manager for the East of England at the National Housing Federation, said: “For the sixth year in a row, new home building is at rock bottom.

“People in the East of England are now thoroughly aware that the region is facing a housing crisis and despite a spate of short-term initiative there is no grand plan.

“If tackling the housing crisis is about anything, it’s about building more homes. It’s the lack of supply and failure to cater for demand, which pushes up prices and leaves needy people out in the cold.”