As you may be aware, Marlborough Town Council has declared a housing crisis to highlight the severe difficulties that many people face in securing social accommodation. This crisis is not an abstract concept; it is a reality affecting countless families and individuals every day.
Even properties marketed as “affordable” are now beyond the reach of the average working family. The very essence of affordability has been stretched to a point where it no longer serves its intended purpose. The average nurse, teacher, or public servant, who forms the backbone of our community, cannot hope to secure these so-called affordable homes.
Our Town Council regularly invites social housing providers to engage in dialogue with our councillors. These discussions have consistently revealed the profound social issues that arise from current sales policies. The selling off of social housing is not just a financial transaction—it has deep and lasting social implications.
Consider the families in our community. We risk becoming a community devoid of young families as two & three-bedroom social housing units are sold off. This trend forces families to move away, severing essential support networks. Elderly parents and grandparents, who could provide invaluable support to young families, are left isolated because their children and grandchildren cannot afford to live nearby. The very fabric of our community is being eroded, one sale at a time.
A recent example of this alarming trend is the loss of York Place. This development previously offered social rented homes to 33 vulnerable and older residents. However, it is being replaced by a mere eight rental units and five shared ownership flats, with the remainder sold on the open market. Initially, these will be priced as “affordable,” but as we have seen, they will quickly become unaffordable to key workers and eventually sold at full market price with no restrictions. This shift dramatically reduces the availability of genuinely affordable housing for those in need.
Marlborough already has a higher-than-average population of older people, many of whom live with disabilities or dementia. The community’s needs are growing, yet the resources to support them are dwindling. The sales of these properties, while legal and compliant with regulations, betray the spirit of social housing. Social housing was never intended to be a temporary solution or a stepping stone to market-rate housing; it was meant to provide long-term, stable homes for those who need them most.
We must stand together and advocate for the preservation of our social housing stock. Selling these properties may provide short-term financial gains, but the long-term social costs are far greater. Let us not lose sight of the purpose of social housing—to support our most vulnerable citizens and maintain the diversity and strength of our community.
I urge you to reconsider sales policies and to work with us to find solutions that keep our community whole and thriving. Together, we can ensure that Marlborough remains a place where families can grow, where elderly parents can stay connected with their loved ones, and where everyone has the opportunity to live with dignity and security. Thank you.
Cllr Kym-Marie Cleasby
Mayor of Marlborough
Summer walk raises funds for Hope and Homes for Children
