CITY of York Council allows homes to remain empty yet there are 4,000 people on the waiting list (September 13).

My partner and I are on the exchange, housing and the affordable homes lists and all we will be offered is a two-bedroomed flat or bedsit.

We want to settle down and make a home for ourselves so we have started looking for houses but, because we don't have a baby, I am unable to find a house we can afford.

We are being penalised for this but, surely, the whole point of family planning is also about finding housing, finances etc.

On the subject of babies, I asked the council that if I decided to become pregnant in my current home, would I be expected to carry baby, pram, etc up to two flights of stairs, and I was told that there is no law to say I would have to be moved from a second-floor flat.

Paula Sowden,

Reighton Avenue, York.

Updated: 10:05 Tuesday, September 20, 2005