I FOUND some of John Reeves’ comments on social housing disturbing (Letters, July 13).

Mr Reeves seems to suggests that “pepper-potting” of social housing on new developments devalues properties for sale on the open market.

I would say it is quite the opposite. Houses owned by registered social landlords such as the Joseph Rowntree Housing Trust, Home, Tees Valley and Places for People, to name but a few, are well maintained.

If there are problems with tenants these can be reported to the organisations’ estate managers who have the power to take action, including eviction.

Action in the private rented sector, where neighbours seldom know who is the owner or the letting agent, can be more difficult. What is clear is that problems exist in all tenures of housing, including owner occupation.

In future years, I suspect more than 70 per cent of today’s schoolchildren will never be able to afford to buy a house in York, unless they receive substantial financial help from their family.

Such a sweeping comment about affordable housing by Mr Reeves is regrettable and unfair on the majority who now cannot afford to buy.

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