Madam,

Please allow me to respond to the article in the Cambrian News editions of 18 October, entitled ‘Call to give locals priority for social housing’.

I can only describe the comments made by Sion Jones and Craig ab Iago as a force of intimidation towards non-Welsh speakers.

Craig ab Iago commented that he would like to see a system where housing is allocated on the basis of ethnic group, language and local communities; Sion Jones stated he was fed up with people asking for housing because “maybe they aren’t Welsh-speaking”!

Who do these two people think they are?

The Homeless (Wales) Act 2014 reform states clearly that they have a duty to help anyone threatened with homelessness, rather than just those in priority groups!

Sion Jones and Craig ab Iago have no right to dictate where and to whom housing is allocated.

For both of their benefits, I would add that when I have been out and about helping anyone needing help, I have never been requested to speak in Welsh before my help is accepted.

To be homeless isn’t a preference, therefore ethnicity shouldn’t be a preference either.

Finally, I would ask the two to please refrain from making me feel like a ‘second-class citizen’ simply because I don’t speak Welsh.

Yours etc,

O Jean Thomas, Llanfair.

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