SIR - Paul Denham recently wrote about the effect of local planning decisions on the plight of the homeless in Worcester. We should be under no illusions, because the sobering reality suggests the 1,000-strong waiting list is the tip of the iceberg.

Not everyone goes on the waiting list, and many who do face years of waiting. Some never apply because they feel it is hopeless. The numbers will rise steadily in the coming years, because of growing pressure on the housing stock.

The private sector will be overwhelmed with the demand for "affordable" accommodation and many single people face years in one-room bedsits perhaps sharing a kitchen and bathroom. Hardly homely.

The sum of £115.000 provided to the council by the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister is small change in the currency of government initiatives, and more worrying is the plan to set up "focus groups" to discover gaps in services. Very New Labouresque.

Post-war governments were visionary in their construction of a huge stock of social housing. Cradle to the grave stuff. Successive governments have squandered that stock, selling the family silver in pursuit short-term electoral gain. The future within Worcester is discouraging. The expansion of the university will cause a feeding frenzy as students arriving in Worcester try to obtain the cheapest possible accommodation. Also, the expansion of the EU has led to a measurable influx of our European friends looking for work and accommodation. It will take more than £115.000 and some focus groups to tackle this.

ANDREW BROWN,

Worcester.