Sir -- Absolutely disgusting, that is my verdict on the issue of the heavy cost of empty homes and the high level of homelessness in Oxford (Oxford Mail, December 22).

I live on Rose Hill estate and, yes, I see it every day. Houses boarded up for months on end.

These are houses that could and should be refurbished and then reallocated, not left to fall into complete ruin.

I have a niece who was recently allocated a once boarded-up Orlit style house in Rose Hill.

She and her partner, with help from their parents, transformed it into a little palace at a very budgeted cost. It is now a place to be proud of.

So if they can do it, why not the council workforce?

They seem to indulge in the delight of touring the city in their new vans with the heater and radio on for relaxation.

I do not need a degree in mathematics to work out that it is easier and cheaper to spend time and money to refurbish homes than having to pay for bed and breakfast, or other means of accommodation for these homeless people on the waiting list.

All I can say is that the private landlords in Oxford must love Oxford City Housing. They are fat cats in the making.

TONY HARBERT

Rivermead Road

Rose Hill

Oxford