Sir.-I read with interest the recent comments from Martin Nurse, chief executive of Sentinel Housing Association, about the need for more affordable housing in Basingstoke and the wider south east region.
I echo his views, in particular on the problem of affordability, and am concerned the Government has decided to halve the budget for new social homes and is relying on social landlords increasing the rents on new homes and re-lets to make up the shortfall. Based on the information provided by Mr Nurse, over half the tenants that Sentinel house earn less than £200 per week net and 87 per cent earn less than £400 per week.
Consequently, it is clear that this Government move will mean that more tenants will have to claim housing benefit.
It strikes me that this change to the budget for new social homes is yet another example of where saving money from one budget will only mean money being spent by another.
–Carolyn Wooldridge, Corelli Road, Basingstoke.
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