IN RESPONSE to Matthew Laverack’s letter of June 9, it is ludicrous and absurd that an architect – whether of this parish and champagne filled or not – should become so irate about a housing policy that is clearly designed to maintain a high level of diversity in terms of the people living in York.

During my time as a candidate in May’s local elections, I was interested to learn that there are people who are so willing to disallow their children the same chance as they had, that of living and working in York.

It makes no sense to force people on low to moderate incomes out of the place they have lived in throughout their lives; it forces prices up and increases demand on the housing list.

We now have 3,500 people on that list, thanks to the previous council’s housing policy.

Affordable living is not loony leftism; it’s about being fair to those people who want to live and work in York.

Even Prince Charles included a high number of affordable and well-built homes at Poundberry.

Owain Gardner, Stamford Street East, York.

• I WOULD suggest that Coun Hyman looks at the home bonus scheme and what it can be used for (Letters, June 6).

The money is not ring-fenced, which means that councils can spend it on what they like. Quite rightly, as he says, it can be used to assist with increased pressures on services.

The Government has also said it can be used to bring empty properties back into use, for which councils will receive a further bonus.

At the same time as this money is coming forward there is to be no new funding from the Homes and Communities Agency, which has previously given councils money to build new homes.

Many councils are then seeing the new homes bonus as a means of building new affordable homes as the money is, as I previously said, not ring-fenced. What initially seemed like to good idea in fact will result in less investment by Government, not more.

If York is not receiving enough money to help with the very much-needed affordable housing, there will be a housing crisis when today’s schoolchildren need a home.

Coun Tracey Simpson-Laing, Labour cabinet member for health housing and adult social services.

• IN RESPONSE to Coun Keith Hyman (Letters, June 6) regarding Labour councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing’s letter (The Press, June 1), doesn’t Coun Simpson-Laing understand the 50 per cent housing rule is a big reason the house builders will not build any more houses in York while this Labour-supported policy remains in place?

Builders are not charities and are not part-nationalised and need to make a profit; the housing target is far too high.

Until this ridiculous policy is changed, not many houses are going to be built. By changing this policy in York, more houses will be built and many jobs will be created that York desperately needs.

Until this happens, the house builders are not going to build any new houses and the housing situation will remain at a standstill.

Terry Smith, Classic Cutz, Fourth Avenue, York.