In response to the letter “Overrun by affordable homes”, I too am disgusted – at the author’s ignorance towards the people who need “affordable” housing.
I have seen numerous comments over the past few years about people’s views on affordable housing and most have been negative. I have the opinion, as she does, about those who, as she says, “do not wish to work or pay their way in life”, though I am not ignorant towards those people who do wish to work and pay their own way in life and need to live in affordable housing.
I have worked full time for the past 24 years since I left school, taking only one year out to have a child. I became a single parent who privately rented a property asking for no housing benefit. I do not receive benefits of any kind because I have a good job.
I found it increasingly difficult to save for a deposit to purchase my own home while running a home and was offered help from family for a deposit to buy one. Luckily for me, an “affordable” home became available. So I now part buy/part rent.
This does not mean it is affordable! There are few lenders willing to offer mortgages for these schemes and those that do have higher rates. Believe me, there is nothing affordable about it! My mortgage and rent (which is considerably more than the privately rented house), utilities bills, car and other necessities amount to three quarters of my salary.
I chose to buy this house because I wanted my child to live in an area that I liked knowing that I had to pay for it and make sacrifices to live there. I work hard so we can live there.
Your correspondent and any others having a moan about us “affordable people” are most welcome to visit and see what a lovely clean house we live in, with a lovely well-kept garden and lovely neighbours.
Yes I am upset and annoyed at the time of writing this but I wish people would not think that all “affordables” get everything for nothing! I don’t! Give people a chance.
From a very annoyed “affordable” home owner, not too far from my neighbour in Lickey End.
Name and Address supplied, Lickey End