MADAM – Last year, 29 local authority-owned houses in Mankley Road, Leonard Stanley, were demolished.

We were told they would be replaced with nearly 50 homes.

In order for this to happen, the occupants had to be rehoused elsewhere.

The land has been lying derelict for many months, and currently there is no sign of any activity or any hint, I am aware of, in commencing the construction of the promised badly needed houses.

It was reported in February that the our outgoing government wanted is currently hoping to extend the “right to buy”, on extremely generous terms, to a further 2.5 million homes (The Times, February 20).

It is also reported that nationally, only one new council house is currently being built for every 21 sold to tenants at up to 70 per cent less than the market value (The Times, February 19).

We are seeing an unfolding crisis being inflicted on homeless people, especially children, who can only ever aspire to renting a home.

The situation is being made worse by the increase in exploitation by unscrupulous landlords.

Might I through your columns, ask for an explanation, some ray of hope, from those on whom the responsibility for reversing this tragedy rests, not least our political representatives, both national and local. When is the loss of 29 homes going to be offset by the construction of the nearly 50 replacements so urgently required?

Noel Baker Leonard Stanley