CONGRATULATIONS and thanks for the front-page article in the Times last week. Any publicity that raises awareness of the chronic shortage of affordable housing in West Devon is most welcome.
This issue is one, if not the biggest problem being faced by a large number of local people and any attempts to raise the profile and local knowledge of the scale of the problem is appreciated.
One point in your article requires clarification; West Devon Homes does not ?manage the council?s housing stock?. The council?s former housing was purchased by West Devon Homes, an independent charitable company and registered social landlord, in 1999.
Whilst we do, of course,work with the council on housing issues it is wrong to give the impression that we manage the homes we own as ?agents? for the council.
This is a small point that will mean very little to the large number of people who are looking for a decent, affordable home in which to live.
What is important is that all organisations work together to try and influence key Government decision makers that the South West generally, and West Devon particularly, needs a ?fair crack of the whip? in terms of the distribution of available resources for affordable housing.
Steve Phillip
Director of Housing Services
West Devon Homes