I AM in agreement with your previous readers (Aug 2 and 21) who say that the lettings policy is a sham.
Properties are advertised to waiting time but bidders are misled with statements such as 'waiting time 5-7yrs', when in actual fact the people bidding have over 20 years waiting time.
Anyone with with less does not stand a chance. I have 18 years
waiting time and have been bidding for over two years without even a look at a property. I have recently discovered that there are over 600 people with waiting time longer than myself.
So sorry to be the bearer of bad news to all you people who think 15 years is quite long enough to be waiting for a decent home: Sheffield Homes don't seem to care about you.
Also it has come to my notice that, although there are more houses each week going to priority applicants than waiting time, the management can at any time (after you have bid) withdraw a waiting time property to go to priority at their discretion. This reduces our chances further of ever getting a home.
Even the property shop staff seem unaware of the situation as every time I phone they say 'keep bidding, with 18 years waiting you'll get something soon'. I really don't think so. It's time we all protested about this.
Julie Fairest-Hawksworth
AFTER six years of waiting my nephew has been given a dirty box in the sky by Sheffield Homes. It would be nice if it was clean, but he was told he could not get a cleaning grant or help to move in. Why? Because he works, even though he gets less (much less ) in wages than those are paid via state benefits. Nor will he get any help with rent, council tax or even social fund grants.
This proves that working, and never ever having claimed benefits, does not pay.
This is an encouragement to be idle and not pay tax. hat an unfair and sick system we have.
Anthony Rodgers, Shirecliffe Road, Sheffield 5
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