I WILL happily answer David Fish (Letters, November 12).

City of York Council took the lead to bring the Old White Swan back in to use, but the property is in the portfolio of Thirteen Group. Due to 60 per cent cuts in the government’s affordable homes programme, housing associations are moving towards the affordable rent model – increased rent pays for “repayment” of build costs as grant does not cover full schemes’ cost any more.

Affordable rent is seen by government as a way for those who are in-between markets to afford accommodation, however in York this is a shrinking number due to lack of housing supply.

Councils should not be charging affordable rent but social rent, around 60 per cent of market rent, as evidence shows few on the council’s waiting list can afford “affordable”. This is why York, along with other councils in the region, did not take up an offer – not turn down – to access grant that would have resulted in two-bed homes around £720 and three-bed around £800 a month.

Instead, with restrictions lifted on the housing revenue account, the council is bringing forward around 70 new council homes which are energy efficient, lifetimes homes and truly affordable.

Cllr Tracey Simpson-Laing, Cabinet Member for Homes & Safer Communities, Amberley Street, York.