THE biggest-ever housing project for Skye will be launched today by the Scottish Executive in an attempt to tackle the severe shortage of affordable homes on the island.But then I note the dreaded words "Scottish Executive". Sure enough, this is another of those futile attempts by government to solve the very problem that they themselves have created.
As Neil Craig wrote:
"Affordable housing" one of the mantras of our government is a cruel lie - it actually means more taxpayer subsidies to allow the state (via housing associations) to build outdated homes which get filled only because of their monopoly position. This allows the state to keep people dependent. Truly affordable houses are entirely attainable - all that is required is that the politicians stop preventing builders building.Note that "affordable" is used nine times in the article - the word is becoming as common and as meaningless as "sustainable" or "community".
If politicians would just get out of the way we wouldn't need all of these plans for "affordable" housing. By the way, aren't all houses that get sold "affordable" to someone?
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Neil Craig
Thanks David. When the Scotsman didn't publish my letter on this I let it drop but when you quoted it I decided it was worth trying in the Herald & they printed it today.
17 November 2005, 21:05:57 GMT
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Andrew Duffin
Hear hear, David!
Scotland must be the only country in the world to have huge areas of empty land AND a housing crisis, simultaneously.
Only the State could manage it!
16 November 2005, 12:11:47 GMT
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mr eugenides
What was it Reagan said? 'The nine most terrifying words in the English language are, "I'm from the government and I'm here to help".'
15 November 2005, 15:54:39 GMT
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