THE housing crisis seems never ending with little sign that there is an answer to the problem, facts which made me think about times past.

Originally, the majority of people lived in the rural areas where most of the buildings were the property of the Lord of the Manor. It was only during the industrial revolution that there was a great demand for houses in urban areas to accommodate the factory workers. As a result, large numbers of cheaply made back-to-back houses appeared. Although Cowley was not blighted to the same degree a great deal of the estates in the area were built with a view to house factory workers.

Shortly before the onset of the Second World War, councils were initiating programmes of slum clearance, which, in Oxford, were, mostly, in St Clement’s, St Ebbe’s and Jericho. To house those families that were being displaced the council provided houses.

Post-war, most people lived in rented accommodation or, if they were newly married, with their parents or in-laws. Because few earned enough to get the building societies to provide a mortgage, most put their names on the council waiting list in the hope that, in time, a house would become free.

When Betty and I got married, my father-in-law made great efforts to deter us from buying a house, claiming that, if we owned the property, it would become a millstone around our necks when we had to pay for repairs – fortunately, Betty couldn’t be convinced by his argument.

The housing situation continued in a reasonably satisfactory manner until, in its wisdom, the government brought in a law, which gave council tenants a right to buy their homes at a price below market value. To add to the problem, councils were prevented from replacing lost stocks. Inevitably this resulted in the serious housing shortage we suffer from today. What really puzzles me is why the present government continues the policy of right to buy.

To try to overcome the shortage of affordable houses, builders are now required to offer a percentage of new houses at low cost – something the builders dislike.

If builders were permitted to offer all their houses at market value, there might come a time when all possible purchasers at the upper end of the market are satisfied, leaving the builders the option of satisfying those with a less deep pocket. What would make more sense would be to encourage councils to build.

Having said all that, there is one thing that puzzles me. Where are the workers that need all this housing? There seem to be fewer manufacturers in Oxford than in the past, and, surely, the Mini plant doesn’t require the number of workers that were needed in the days when Morris Motors and Pressed Steel existed and, what is more, there are now fewer large shops and, with computers, shops and offices must, surely, require fewer staff.

DERRICK HOLT
Fortnam Close, Headington