Starter Homes Will 'Stymie Social Mobility'

David Cameron’s pledge to help generation rent buy a “roof of their own” will help only higher earners, and could have a negative impact on social mobility, housing experts have warned. Shelter said the policy would create homes that were out of reach for families on average earnings in 58% of the country by 2020. Its chief executive, Campbell Robb, said: “You don’t solve an affordability crisis by getting rid of the few affordable homes we’re building, yet that’s exactly what this policy will do.” Robb said the homes would “too often only be ‘affordable’ for higher earners”. He added: “There’s nothing wrong with helping people on to the property ladder, but the government has to invest in genuinely affordable homes to buy and rent for all of those on ordinary incomes who are bearing the brunt of this crisis.” Read more on the Guardian website.