SIR,-Seeing the present acute housing shortage and the high price of those houses that are for sale, I wonder if much is done in the way of joint purchase of houses.
In the London area we must now accept the fact that no man gets a mortgage, even at seven per cent interest, unless he has £1,000 as a deposit and he is earning a1,000 gross, a year. How many Catholic fathers are in this position? Very few of us, I would say.
If, however, two families can purchase a house jointly the deposit should not prove such an obstacle, and the earnings of the two families could well exceed £1,000 gross.
Since big properly owners can join forces to enlarge their empire, why cannot two Catholic farralies do the same to solve their housing problem? I cannot believe that there would be less goodwill and spirit of co-operation between two Catholic families. than there Is between two millionaires.
J. Geary
London, N16.