Your contributor from Paola, Mr Charles Camilleri (The middle class, TMID, 18 March) needs to be better informed about what is available in terms of housing provision and services.

Malta now has a strong tradition of producing affordable housing and not just the social housing of the past, although this is still very much needed too. On average, our flats and maisonettes are selling at Lm20,000, with subsidy. These are clearly directed at anyone (class irrelevant) who wants a hand-up to help themselves.

The housing policy at the Housing Authority is a balance of hand-ups and handouts, and we do address the needs (finances permitting) of a very wide spectrum of Maltese society.

Your contributor should visit our offices and find out exactly what is on offer to help both those who are vulnerable and those who only need a hand-up.

Incidentally, single parents who, he implies, are not middle class are represented in all classes as are engaged couples and married people and all the family types we do our best to help.

Our clients are helped on the basis of need and not on colour or class, and, as he rightly points out, middle class people may need help too

Marisa Micallef

Chairman Housing Authority