Page 31 | To think that there is a misunderstanding about social housing.

Starseeking · 06/05/2025 22:37

Although it’s not free, social housing is very heavily subsidised. Rents of £100-200 per week are common for 1-3 bedroom places in central London, compared to the local market which in some cases could be £500-800 per week.

In addition to that, lots of social housing tenants have their rents paid by housing benefit directly to their landlord, so the tenant isn’t technically having to find the money themselves. That may be where some of the misconception of “free” originates.

Blongie · 06/05/2025 22:37

Gabitule · 06/05/2025 22:36

OP, I disagree. Times have changed.
In London where I live only people who are highly vulnerable (usually disabled, etc) get council housing. Their vulnerability often means that they are unable to work and that benefits pay their rent, so the houses are, in effect, free. Even those who work still end up being much better off in social housing than in private accomodation due to the much cheaper rent.
People who live in privately rented accomodation are affected by the Local Housing Allowance cap, so even those on benefits may end up with a big shortfall between their rent and their ‘housing benefit’.

social housing in London is like gold dust

Yep. I live here too, see it with my own eyes. Basically social housing is a golden ticket and you have it for life. It’s completely a joke that it’s never reassessed- you could win the lottery and still have a rent controlled flat. This country is insane.

soupyspoon · 06/05/2025 22:36

Of course its subsidised, that is the whole purpose of it. Its a social provision to support society.

Gabitule · 06/05/2025 22:36

OP, I disagree. Times have changed.
In London where I live only people who are highly vulnerable (usually disabled, etc) get council housing. Their vulnerability often means that they are unable to work and that benefits pay their rent, so the houses are, in effect, free. Even those who work still end up being much better off in social housing than in private accomodation due to the much cheaper rent.
People who live in privately rented accomodation are affected by the Local Housing Allowance cap, so even those on benefits may end up with a big shortfall between their rent and their ‘housing benefit’.

social housing in London is like gold dust

ThisOpenMauveLurker · 06/05/2025 22:34

Hollyhedge · 06/05/2025 22:24

The social housing I know of on this street is about 10% of market rent. Lifetime tenancy

Are you sure? HA rents are pegged to average rents for the area and set at 60-80%.

Blongie · 06/05/2025 22:33

AirborneElephant · 06/05/2025 22:19

It is subsidised. Anything provided at below market rate is by definition subsidised. I strongly feel it should be reserved for those in need, particularly those who are working but can’t afford private rents. I think the fact that people can stay when they no longer need help or don’t need the space is appalling.

This

Let’s also remember that housing benefit (UC housing element) will pay the full rent for many, many council housing tenants- so really they are getting it ‘for free’.

IwasDueANameChange · 06/05/2025 22:32

In my area you won't get up the waiting list for social housing unless you are disabled or among the very poorest families.

NcFcSc · 06/05/2025 22:32

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 06/05/2025 21:56

Yes people need telling

it’s not free or subsidised
its not even that cheap
you don’t need to move out at any point
most tenancies turn into lifetime tenancies
we can rattle around in our 3 bed houses long after the kids have left home

How is it not cheap? I have a 3 floor, 4 bed, 2 reception room house for 500pcm.
Its incredibly cheap! Especially for my area (big NW city)

RaininSummer · 06/05/2025 22:31

It is a bit of a golden ticket if you get social housing. Way cheaper and secure so you end up with more disposable income and a lot less stress than anybody privately renting. Right to buy seems wrong.

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 06/05/2025 22:30

IwasDueANameChange · 06/05/2025 22:28

Also council housing is at social rent, which is lower still than "affordable" rent. In many areas social rent is under 20% of market rents, and often to be poor enough to access it you'd typically be receiving the housing element of UC and not paying rent at all.

Poor enough? Eh??

Octavia64 · 06/05/2025 22:30

I used to be on the parish council for my village.
we had a big estate of social housing, full of couples in three or four bedroom homes whose kids had moved out.

there was nowhere to downsize to in the villlage and they didn’t want to move to another village after 50 years living n that house so nobody downsized.

the parish council is apparently looking at building some 1 bedroom bungalows social housing for them to downsize to.

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 06/05/2025 22:29

I’ve recently downsized. It was bloody hard work. I actually swapped house (mutual exchange) and was really stressful

IwasDueANameChange · 06/05/2025 22:28

Also council housing is at social rent, which is lower still than "affordable" rent. In many areas social rent is under 20% of market rents, and often to be poor enough to access it you'd typically be receiving the housing element of UC and not paying rent at all.

IwasDueANameChange · 06/05/2025 22:27

If you live in the south the waiting lists are prioritised by need & are 10+ years long. New council homes tend to go only to the most vulnerable/poorest which are rarely those households with two adults working full time.

Hollyhedge · 06/05/2025 22:24

The social housing I know of on this street is about 10% of market rent. Lifetime tenancy

XenoBitch · 06/05/2025 22:23

ALittleBitWooo · 06/05/2025 22:21

My friend lives in a three bedroom council house, her rent is £102 per week. I private rent in the same area and my rent is £900 per month. I don’t have an issue with this, she works and has small children, it’s what those houses were designed for. I do however think it’s wrong that my husband’s mum and dad are allowed to stay in their 4 bed council home that was given to them in the 80s. They should be moved to a one bedroom property and a family should get their council property.

My parents are in the house I grew up in.... 3 bed and it is just them now. They were offered money to downsize... but there was no where to downsize to

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 06/05/2025 22:23

JorgyPorgy · 06/05/2025 22:16

If you’re rattling around why not downsize so someone more in need can take your bigger house?

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I have….but nobody was forcing me

but that’s not actually as easy as it sounds. A flippant ‘downsize then’ comment like that is quite ignorant

ALittleBitWooo · 06/05/2025 22:21

My friend lives in a three bedroom council house, her rent is £102 per week. I private rent in the same area and my rent is £900 per month. I don’t have an issue with this, she works and has small children, it’s what those houses were designed for. I do however think it’s wrong that my husband’s mum and dad are allowed to stay in their 4 bed council home that was given to them in the 80s. They should be moved to a one bedroom property and a family should get their council property.

Glitchymn1 · 06/05/2025 22:21

Bitchesbelike · 06/05/2025 22:20

in their 40s and 50s now !

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Exactly. Those days have gone.

Picklechicken · 06/05/2025 22:20

AirborneElephant · 06/05/2025 22:19

It is subsidised. Anything provided at below market rate is by definition subsidised. I strongly feel it should be reserved for those in need, particularly those who are working but can’t afford private rents. I think the fact that people can stay when they no longer need help or don’t need the space is appalling.

I agree.

Original poster

Bitchesbelike · 06/05/2025 22:20

Glitchymn1 · 06/05/2025 22:18

How old are your brothers now OP?

If a single 18 year old boy registered as homeless /in need of housing they wouldn’t get a look in these days. They’d be lucky to get a room in a hostel.

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in their 40s and 50s now !

OP posts:

JorgyPorgy · 06/05/2025 22:19

Bushmillsbabe · 06/05/2025 22:10

My mum grew up in a council house after her Dad died when she was young, my grandma never worked, so for them it was free housing. But I appreciate for many others it isn't free. She lived in a 4 bedroom house on her own for about 40 years once all the children moved out, which feels crazy when I see families through my work who live 6 people in a 1 bedroom flat and disabled children are developing life limiting complications through not having enough space to access the specialist equipment they need.

The system has also been damaged by right to buy. When I moved to London myself and some friends rented a place which was an ex council house. The guy we rented from boasted about how he and his extended family now have about 8 ex council houses and renting them out is their full business. That, IMHO is wrong. Subsidised housing for those in need - absolutely. Making people millionaires whilst others remain homeless - absolutely not.

Why did she live in 4 bed council house alone for 40 years? Why not voluntarily downsize?
I agree the right to buy wasn’t a good idea

AirborneElephant · 06/05/2025 22:19

It is subsidised. Anything provided at below market rate is by definition subsidised. I strongly feel it should be reserved for those in need, particularly those who are working but can’t afford private rents. I think the fact that people can stay when they no longer need help or don’t need the space is appalling.

Original poster

Bitchesbelike · 06/05/2025 22:19

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

Calm down hen. A few posts that I’ve seen on Facebook tonight show that many people seem to have the idea that the council houses are given for free: and that people with one don’t have jobs or pay rent. Now of course, some people may use housing benefit to pay their rent, but so will some private renters too

OP posts:

Glitchymn1 · 06/05/2025 22:18

Bitchesbelike · 06/05/2025 21:50

On social media, lots of people assume that people in social / council housing are getting a free house and don’t work.

i grew up in social housing: my dad worked from age 15 to 65.

my brothers have worked since they were 16 and both live in social housing.

its not “free housing”: it’s rented, affordable accommodation.

How old are your brothers now OP?

If a single 18 year old boy registered as homeless /in need of housing they wouldn’t get a look in these days. They’d be lucky to get a room in a hostel.