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Original poster

To think that there is a misunderstanding about social housing.

787 replies

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.

OP posts:
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13
JenniferBooth · 14/05/2025 18:12

Bushmillsbabe · 14/05/2025 18:03

The difference is child benefit is linked to income. When you go over a threshold, you can't claim it/have to pay it back.
The equivalent would be to say to those in social housing that they need to pay rent at market prices once they earn over a certain threshold and a sliding scale below that. And that may be the solution - people aren't then forced to move, but more money is raised to help build more social housing for others who need it.

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The attitudes in my linked thread and some of the attitudes in this one differ greatly though

XenoBitch · 14/05/2025 18:10

Bushmillsbabe · 14/05/2025 18:03

The difference is child benefit is linked to income. When you go over a threshold, you can't claim it/have to pay it back.
The equivalent would be to say to those in social housing that they need to pay rent at market prices once they earn over a certain threshold and a sliding scale below that. And that may be the solution - people aren't then forced to move, but more money is raised to help build more social housing for others who need it.

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There would be no incentive for anyone in SH to earn more if you do that though. What would be the point in earning more if it then gets eaten up by rent?

Bushmillsbabe · 14/05/2025 18:03

JenniferBooth · 14/05/2025 17:34

So is Child Benefit, so what

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The difference is child benefit is linked to income. When you go over a threshold, you can't claim it/have to pay it back.
The equivalent would be to say to those in social housing that they need to pay rent at market prices once they earn over a certain threshold and a sliding scale below that. And that may be the solution - people aren't then forced to move, but more money is raised to help build more social housing for others who need it.

JenniferBooth · 14/05/2025 18:00

ACynicalDad · 14/05/2025 17:56

It is below market rent and whilst many hardworking people live in social housing I think pretending everyone there is hard working and there's no truth in the idea that there are some people who never work who are there funded by benefits makes the 'defence' much weaker.

BUT THATS WHAT Y"ALL WANTED FOR SOCIAL HOUSING ONLY TO BE FOR THE MOST DESPERATE

Whippetlovely · 14/05/2025 17:58

YouWillFindMeInTheGarden · 06/05/2025 22:13

How much cheaper?

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Less than half the cost in most places. My cousin has a 3 bed council pays 500, it would cost 1100 to rent a private 3 bed. That's what pisses people off.

ACynicalDad · 14/05/2025 17:56

It is below market rent and whilst many hardworking people live in social housing I think pretending everyone there is hard working and there's no truth in the idea that there are some people who never work who are there funded by benefits makes the 'defence' much weaker.

FedupofArsenalgame · 14/05/2025 17:55

JorgyPorgy · 14/05/2025 17:00

I agree not enough bungalows or social housing. Our governments are to blame & there should be more provision for those who need benefits.
However lots of people like gardens and spare bedrooms but can’t afford them as despite working full time they don’t earn enough. So it doesn’t seem fair that people who don’t work think they should have better than people who do.

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Who are the people not working who think they deserve better? The retired?

vodkaredbullgirl · 14/05/2025 17:43

JenniferBooth · 14/05/2025 17:34

So is Child Benefit, so what

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As long as they are eligible for it, that's what I'm waiting for posters to say.

JenniferBooth · 14/05/2025 17:39

gamerchick · 14/05/2025 16:43

Heh could you imagine the likes of London if that happened. The elite wandering around wondering why everywhere was shut.

I quite like that idea actually.

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Not to mention the SH haters being called at work and told they have to leave work immediately as Granny needs feeding, her medication sorted and personal care as there are no care workers in London anymore

Very Years and Years.

JenniferBooth · 14/05/2025 17:34

JorgyPorgy · 14/05/2025 17:09

Social housing IS a benefit

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So is Child Benefit, so what

XenoBitch · 14/05/2025 17:33

fiveIsNewOne · 14/05/2025 17:19

In a way of mental experiment, if would be interesting and I see the potential for improving housing prices in the long term.

Housing benefits are increasing the overall volume of money available for the landlords to charge and that increases the price of individual rentals. Which is causing that more people need housing benefits to keep up with it.

The transition effects would be terrible though. Too terrible.

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But they also said there should be no social housing too. So only home owners and private landlords would have property.

JenniferBooth · 14/05/2025 17:32

fiveIsNewOne · 14/05/2025 17:19

In a way of mental experiment, if would be interesting and I see the potential for improving housing prices in the long term.

Housing benefits are increasing the overall volume of money available for the landlords to charge and that increases the price of individual rentals. Which is causing that more people need housing benefits to keep up with it.

The transition effects would be terrible though. Too terrible.

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Middle classes who are salivating over the idea would have to live in gated communities There is a dystopian TV drama here just waiting to be written.

JenniferBooth · 14/05/2025 17:30

JorgyPorgy · 14/05/2025 17:00

I agree not enough bungalows or social housing. Our governments are to blame & there should be more provision for those who need benefits.
However lots of people like gardens and spare bedrooms but can’t afford them as despite working full time they don’t earn enough. So it doesn’t seem fair that people who don’t work think they should have better than people who do.

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Post bedroom tax social housing tenants got moaned at on here for not having a spare room to self isolate in during Covid

fiveIsNewOne · 14/05/2025 17:19

XenoBitch · 14/05/2025 17:08

Where will the homeless go? If you remove housing benefit, then people previously on it would be on the streets. Many of these people will no longer be using benefits to pay for mortgages of private landlords.

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In a way of mental experiment, if would be interesting and I see the potential for improving housing prices in the long term.

Housing benefits are increasing the overall volume of money available for the landlords to charge and that increases the price of individual rentals. Which is causing that more people need housing benefits to keep up with it.

The transition effects would be terrible though. Too terrible.

JorgyPorgy · 14/05/2025 17:09

gamerchick · 14/05/2025 17:02

14 pages in and still people think social housing is linked to benefits.

Social housing IS a benefit

XenoBitch · 14/05/2025 17:08

Pistachioitaliano · 14/05/2025 17:00

Landlords wouldn't be able to secure inflated rates fue to too many people being unable to afford them. The market would find its correct rent per area.

Where will the homeless go? If you remove housing benefit, then people previously on it would be on the streets. Many of these people will no longer be using benefits to pay for mortgages of private landlords.

JorgyPorgy · 14/05/2025 17:07

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 14/05/2025 17:05

One of the worst things Thatcher did (a long, long list) was selling off council housing and not making sure it was replaced.

Council housing/social housing is vital, imo - people need stable, affordable, secure housing for themselves and their families. Private rentals have their place too, but I do not think that they should replace social housing.

Agreed

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 14/05/2025 17:05

One of the worst things Thatcher did (a long, long list) was selling off council housing and not making sure it was replaced.

Council housing/social housing is vital, imo - people need stable, affordable, secure housing for themselves and their families. Private rentals have their place too, but I do not think that they should replace social housing.

gamerchick · 14/05/2025 17:02

14 pages in and still people think social housing is linked to benefits.

JorgyPorgy · 14/05/2025 17:00

Sharptonguedwoman · 14/05/2025 13:16

There's a shortage of housing like bungalows that are helpful for older people.
Lots of people like a garden, even a small one and to have family come home and stay over. A one bed third floor flat isn't helpful.

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I agree not enough bungalows or social housing. Our governments are to blame & there should be more provision for those who need benefits.
However lots of people like gardens and spare bedrooms but can’t afford them as despite working full time they don’t earn enough. So it doesn’t seem fair that people who don’t work think they should have better than people who do.

Pistachioitaliano · 14/05/2025 17:00

Landlords wouldn't be able to secure inflated rates fue to too many people being unable to afford them. The market would find its correct rent per area.

vodkaredbullgirl · 14/05/2025 16:56

Pistachioitaliano · 14/05/2025 16:53

It will be painful at first but ultimately the rental market would level out which would help tenants.

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Good job you're not in charge then 😆

XenoBitch · 14/05/2025 16:54

Pistachioitaliano · 14/05/2025 16:53

It will be painful at first but ultimately the rental market would level out which would help tenants.

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How?

Pistachioitaliano · 14/05/2025 16:53

vodkaredbullgirl · 14/05/2025 16:51

More homeless people then 🙄

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It will be painful at first but ultimately the rental market would level out which would help tenants.