AMBITIOUS plans to increase the number of affordable homes being built in Kent risk failing if the Government does not invest more money, regional housing chiefs have warned.

The South East England Regional Housing Board says targets for more affordable family homes will not be met without extra investment.

At the same time, it says too few affordable homes are being built and has urged the government to increase its targets for rural areas.

The board, part of the South East England Regional Assembly (SEERA), recommends how government money should be spent on housing across the south east. It says £1.3billion is needed to meet the needs of those on low incomes.

It has told ministers too little cash has been earmarked to support homes for families on lower incomes and that the funding gap will mean affordable housing targets may not be met.

The board has also warned the enthusiasm of developers for building smaller one and two-bedroomed flats "is creating a situation in which the needs of families are failing to be met adequately".

The South East Plan - the strategy setting out house-building targets - envisages 7,400 affordable homes built in the Kent Thames Gateway, east Kent and Ashford in the next five years.

But the board says the level of government funding pledged to support these targets is "appreciably below" what is actually needed.

In a submission to ministers, it says that the Government should increase its funding to allow 500 affordable homes to be built a year in any community with a population of less than 3,000. Currently, the target for the South East Plan is 392.

Elizabeth Cartwright, chairman of the RHB, said: "Rising house prices in the south east are making it more difficult for people on low incomes to get the accommodation they need.

"The proposals we have put forward to ministers will help address this but the Government needs to invest much more money to resolve this key issue."