WITH regard to Len Spray’s letter of July 14, once again I will reply to this misrepresentation of the previous and current council’s affordable housing policy.

The ‘50 per cent target affordable housing’ policy was introduced under the last Liberal Democrat administration and supported by Labour. Similar policies were introduced across the country. Harrogate still has a higher target than York of 40 per cent. The 50 per cent policy was a target, as is the current policy.

Developers undertake a land viability process, a national legally tested process, which resulted in York obtaining an average of 34 per cent of affordable homes on sites, while the 50 per cent target was in place.

The current site policy is 30 per cent on greenfield and 20 per cent on brownfield for developments over 15 units.

For decades the country has not built enough homes.

And, while a home can increase in value at ten per cent per year, most people’s wages do not and so they are unable to obtain mortgages.

Cllr Tracey Simpson-Laing, Cabinet member for homes and safer communities, City of York Council.