I was talking to my daughter the other day and she's struggling to find a place to rent that doesn't cost an arm and a leg. She's working two jobs and still can't afford a decent flat in Harrogate. It's ridiculous that someone who's employed and responsible can't get a foothold on the property ladder. I remember when my husband and I were her age, we were able to buy a house with a reasonable mortgage, it just seems like the system is stacked against young people now.
I think the problem is that there's just not enough affordable housing being built. All these new developments that are springing up are full of fancy apartments that only rich people can afford. What about the people who actually live and work in the town, like my daughter. They need places to live that won't break the bank. I've heard that some councils are trying to introduce rent controls, which might help a bit, but it's not a long-term solution.
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I've seen it firsthand with some of the families at my school, who are having to move further and further out of the city just to find something they can afford, which then puts a strain on their whole lives, from childcare to getting to work. It's not just about the number of houses being built, it's about who they're being built for, and at the moment it seems like it's all about making a profit rather than providing homes for people who actually need them.
The issue isn't that people in Harrogate are somehow less capable, it's that the system makes it incredibly difficult for them to get ahead, even with hard work.