‘Even people on intermediate incomes, such as teachers and nurses, cannot afford to buy or rent privately in Islington’

• JAMES Dunnett’s reply to Jenny Kassman (Housing has to be seen on a London-wide basis, February 16) suggests that he acknowledges the impact of failed housing policies, yet he still focuses on moving people out of inner London as the only possible solution.

We believe he fails to address the human consequences of forced displacement, due to the unavailability of genuinely affordable accommodation in Islington for young people and households on low incomes.

Communities bind friends and families, they provide support and a sense of belonging. For many vulnerable people their family and friends are a lifeline to coping with everyday struggles.

Mr Dunnett also fails to address the fact that our public services in London are facing severe staff shortages as even people on intermediate incomes, such as teachers and nurses, cannot afford to buy or rent privately in Islington.

For too long deregulation and demolitions in our cities have compounded the problems and caused increased social and environmental damage.

In London alone 161 council estates have been demolished since 1997; under the guise of regeneration but in reality a byword for more private development and so-called affordable shared ownership flats.

It is worth remembering that last year secretary of state Michael Gove also hailed housing developments in urban areas as a solution, citing a 6,000 home development in Fareham, Hampshire.

However council planners ignored concerns expressed by their own housing services about the lack of genuinely affordable housing on the scheme.

The problem is made worse when decisions on having affordable rent or social rent is left to the discretion of the developers.

It beggars belief that, although home ownership is out of reach for the majority of people in this country, it has been consistently pushed by central government as the only solution to the housing crisis, this to the financial benefit of property developers and to the great disadvantage of local authorities as well as to those on council, housing waiting lists.

MORAG GILLIE
Chair, Islington Homes for All