I am writing to bring to readers' attention an excellent service which started in the Kennet area, but which is now to be extended across the UK.

Homes@Kennet offers choice-based letting for social housing tenants. This means what it says anyone on the council's housing list can bid for the home of their choice in the area they want to live, rather than being told to take it or leave it.

Imagine looking for a mortgage and being told by the bank that they'll only lend you the money if you agree to live in a town 15 miles away from where your kids are at school. Before choice-based letting, this was what could happen to people looking for a rented house from a housing association.

Since it started in February 2003, Homes@Kennet has helped hundreds of families find a home, and given social housing clients the dignity and respect they deserve. It has won a national Outstanding Achievement in Social Housing in England award. Since it started, the number of people waiting for a home has more than doubled to over 2,500, which shows how serious our affordable housing shortage is.

House prices in this area have soared over the last five years, which is comforting to those of us who already own one. But if we fail to supply more affordable homes to buy and rent in our villages as well as our towns, we are looking at a bleak future for the local shops and schools, and for the community spirit that makes living in a rural community attractive in the first place.

S Charity

Labour spokesperson

Devizes Constituency