THE contrast between your news stories (“Slump in housing market blamed on new tax bands” and “Homelessness will soar over next 25 years, report warns”, The Herald, both August 10), puts the issue of housing on the agenda and highlights the stark reality for those who have and those who don’t.

The ins and outs of the new tax system may be causing issues at the top end of the housing market and it is unfortunate for those in secure homes who feel tied to their current properties due to the Land and Buildings Transaction Tax (Letters, August 11).

Housebuilders must bear some responsibility for this scenario as they continue to build larger homes and do not meet demand for smaller, more affordable homes for most people.

The Westminster Government’s legislation on the bedroom tax has added to the need for smaller homes. On the tragic issue of homelessness, Scotland is making inroads and has taken the initiative by abolishing Right to Buy which, in the past, exacerbated the issue of a lack of affordable social housing.

This has been in stark contrast to England, where the Conservative Government has recently extended Right to Buy to housing association tenants.

Your report on the number of people sleeping on the streets in Scotland highlights the findings of Heriot-Watt University and the charity Crisis which indicates that, in the next 25 years, homelessness will double unless urgent action is taken, a dreadful situation for so many, and especially when children are involved.

But does this problem go much deeper than a shortage of affordable homes?

Could it be aggravated by the Westminster Government’s austerity programme of cuts and benefit sanctions that plunges many into poverty and despair?

Those suffering benefit sanctions, in many cases due to no fault of their own, are expected to live on less than £50 week. Is it any wonder, therefore, that they become homeless?

For those in this unfortunate situation, without a secure home, something to which everyone should surely be entitled, there must be a glimmer of hope as the Scottish Government secures the right to some welfare benefits.

This might help those who have become accustomed to being continually hammered when they are down.

Catriona C Clark,

52 Hawthorn Drive,

Banknock, Falkirk.

HOUSE prices down – bad. Tins of baked beans prices up – bad.

Why the difference? Just who suffers when house prices don’t go up?

We all need somewhere to live and, as with buying beans, we do not want to pay more than is necessary.

Yes, the tax on more expensive houses should be higher and I don’t see estate agents going out of business.

Yet again, it’s the better-off complaining about how hard done to they are.

We have a housing crisis on our hands, with far too many people sleeping rough on our streets.

If the well-off in our society paid an equitable rate of tax and opened up their spare rooms, their holiday homes and their vacant properties to the homeless, perhaps we would be on the way to experiencing a greater degree of natural justice in our society.

Patricia Fort,

15 Lanark Street,

Glasgow.