I would like to express concerns over housing in Brighton as I am deeply upset over the importance of keeping longstanding Brighton residents in the city.

I was born and brought up in Brighton and have worked there since the age of 16.

Sadly when I was 23 (now 27) my mother was made redundant and we lost our home.

We tried to get help through the council but failed so we ended up moving out to Burgess Hill as this was all the family could afford.

At the moment I’m six months pregnant with my first child and felt that I should find my own home.

I thought this would be easier in Brighton as when I return to work I will be back in my Brighton office and what with needing to find child care I thought it would be easier to live, work and have child care all in the same place.

Since looking I have tried to ask for help from the council and was basically told I haven’t got a hope to get a property in Brighton.

I started to look at private properties and tried a few new build flats around Brighton to be told they are all student accommodation.

Now surely the people who have lived in Brighton all their lives should be able to continue to live in Brighton but this is becoming impossible as housing is just being built for students.

I think measures should be put in place to help existing residents of Brighton instead of worrying about getting people to Brighton and helping the people who will not respect and love the city as we do.

Anna Vincent, The Gattons, Burgess Hill