THE housing market faces crisis unless the government tackles a “chronic” shortage of affordable homes, it is claimed.

The National Housing Federation, which represents housing associations in England, said a shortage of properties for low-income families was hitting home ownership and boosting rents.

But Huddersfield estate agent Raymond Butterworth, of Boultons, disagreed: “The problem is the shortage of buyers who are able to find the required deposit.”

WobblyRachdidn’t see it quite like that: “Nobody that I know wants to buy a house. It’s a scam to get a mortgage. It’s like renting, but from a banker instead and with a ridiculous bond. What’s to like about that?

“If you lose your job or the bank changes the rates on the mortgage and you can’t pay then not only do you lose your home, but you lose a ton of money on the deposit too.”

Intsticks set her right: “I don’t think you really understand how mortgages or home ownership works, Rach.

“It’s not like renting at all. It’s just a loan (at a very low rate) to buy a house.

“The bank doesn’t change the rate if you fix it (the Bank of England does this anyway).

“Also, you don’t lose the deposit.

“Yes, you are paying profits to bankers but, at the end of the day, if you own your home no scumbag landlord can kick you out.

“I rented for years and was happy to get out as you are a cash cow for the landlord who will turf you out if they want to sell up.”

Magdale thought it was the prices putting people off: “Until house prices fall 30% to 40% too many people cannot enter the housing market so the current poor market will persist!”

Markmyword49 saw the bigger picture: “Many economic commentators are pointing out that as soon as the interest rate charged on mortgages begins to rise thousands of households will be in even more straitened circumstances and repossessions will rise dramatically.

“Does this country really need the lenders to loosen their current rules if all that will happen is that in five years time the housing market crashes again?

“At the moment those with mortgages are being protected from the real cost of borrowing by the Bank of England keeping the base rate artificially low. They should be grateful instead of moaning about the loss of equity due to falling house prices. Houses are for living in, not a long term investment that replaces proper pension planning.”