Letters / Clinging to housing ladder
Most Shetlanders in their 20s are faced with the decision of whether or not to move home after completing their rite of passage on the mainland, and – luckily for the community – many choose to return to their roots, sacrificing a lot in the process to do so.
It appears that the recent oil and gas boom has hyper-inflated living costs to a level that would have the most bourgeois of folks, spitting out their Earl Grey in horror at some of the prices being touted. Along with the continuing lack of social housing available (if you can prove that you’re worthy of enough “points” in the first place, that is), how can young Shetlanders begin to think about starting their new lives at home?
Numerous stories have emerged of situations where young people have had their leases on their homes terminated, only to discover that their beds have been filled by these oil companies at the price of an arm and a leg – in not too dissimilar a manner to the Highland Clearances. I wonder what our ancestors would think? Call me melodramatic, but surely pricing a generation out of our community could prove devastating to the future of our isles, both culturally and economically.
I hope if subsequent construction projects are given the go-ahead up north, and we do witness another influx of workers, lessons will have been learned and the council will take action to strike a deal with the oil giants that will benefit the entire community, not just a select few – thus preventing our younger folk from being marginalised again – because, as the old rhetoric that we’ve heard so much of in recent weeks highlights, “the oil winna last forever”.
Shane Ritch
Lerwick
Become a supporter of Shetland News
Shetland News is asking its many readers to consider start paying for their dose of the latest local news delivered straight to their PC, tablet or mobile phone.
Journalism comes at a price and because that price is not being paid in today’s rapidly changing media world, most publishers - national and local - struggle financially despite very healthy audience figures.
Most online publishers have started charging for access to their websites, others have chosen a different route. Shetland News currently has over 600 supporters who are all making small voluntary financial contributions. All funds go towards covering our cost and improving the service further.
Your contribution will ensure Shetland News can: -
- Bring you the headlines as they happen;
- Stay editorially independent;
- Give a voice to the community;
- Grow site traffic further;
- Research and publish more in-depth news, including more Shetland Lives features.
If you appreciate what we do and feel strongly about impartial local journalism, then please become a supporter of Shetland News by either making a single payment or monthly subscription.
Support us from as little as £3 per month – it only takes a minute to sign up. Thank you.
Already a supporter? Sign in to hide this message.
