A DAD from Kelty is urging Fife councillors to join the debate about homes in Fife for the sake of young people like his children, who are forced to pay “ludicrous” amounts in rent because they can’t buy.

Stephen Morris (60), from Keltybridge, believes that something urgently needs done about the lack of affordable housing in the area, and wants people to get involved in the discussion alongside councillors and housing associations.

“I have children in their early twenties and late teens, and their chances of buying are next to nothing,” he said. “They’re not building enough properties and all they young people can do is spend ludicrous amounts on expensive rented homes, there’s no opportunity for them to get out.

“We’re living in a situation where people spend 40% of their income on accommodation, and it’s making it increasingly impossible for young people to get on the property ladder.” Stephen admits that while he enjoys his kids coming back to stay at his home, he’s gutted for them not being able to go out and start their own futures with their own homes. “It’s nice for me to have them back but it’s bad for them because they want to be independent but they can’t. They’re locked out of the property market because of a lack of available affordable housing.” Stephen is sceptical about the deals made with private housebuilders providing some social housing as part of an agreement, saying that more money has to be put in to housing associations. “The private housebuilders promise they’ll do it but build expensive luxury properties,” he said. “The real solution is housing associations, which sponsor the building of properties. Private builders often hold on to vast amounts of land and don’t build because the land value increases.” One campaign trying to make a difference is Yes to Homes, organised by the National Housing Federation. Based in England, the campaign is trying to raise awareness about the struggle to build social housing, and Stephen thinks that councillors and local authorities north of the border should be taking note and doing something about the situation. “Without a doubt this is exactly the sort of issue that should be devolved to the Scottish Government and local authorities who know the real housing requirements of the area,” he said, adding that the situation was not about himself. “I’m fine, I’ve got a beautiful house but it’s for the youngsters who spend huge amounts of income on extortionate rent.

“They haven’t been building enough houses in a long time, and the worst thing is that people are putting all their money into renting which is sucking money out of the economy.”