THE LIE OF ‘AFFORDABLE’ HOUSING
The National Trust says that 25% of these properties will be ‘affordable’ and provided by Cymdeithas Tai Clwyd.
Firstly, the figure of 25% is insulting, especially in light of the Welsh Assembly encouraging 100% affordability on some new developments.
Affordable housing DOES NOT mean local housing. As has been previously seen with housing associations, properties are often allocated to those living outside of Wrecsam and quite regularly outside of Wales.
What price is affordable?
To date, we have been informed that the 25% of the properties on this development will be for rent, or will be part ownership. Basically, you CANNOT BUY one of these properties outright.
Some worrying information was passed to us by a local resident from Rhostyllen who recently applied for a house on a development near to the Erddig site. He was informed upon application that the cost to part buy one of those properties would be £400 a month rent and £400 a month mortgage. This sort of price is NOT affordable to local people on an average wage. The National Trust properties would incorporate the latest energy saving technologies, what sort of price would these be offered for?
The vast majority of local people will not be able to afford one of these properties.