Why do people look down on council houses

[Easystuff]

Just that really why do others look down on council/social houses. I don't understand. There's no special treatment. It's not unusual, it's been about for many years. It's now pretty hard to get social housing. There are thousands of family waiting lists, being made homeless. Through no fault of their own. It's pretty awful out there.

A generational thing I guess!

'Homeowners' feeling somehow superior? Even though the bank owns the property

Not just council property, one of our neighbours is sneering and rude about all renters.

I don't know that people do so much these days.

I've got a HA house and most of the people I talk to about it are quite envious. So many people are stuck in low quality short term high price rental contracts that it's almost living the dream now to have a decent place at market value that you won't be booted out of.

Because people are getting something "for free" that other people have to work for.

Aspirational UK and the desperation of not wishing to be seen as anything other than middle class.

Wish I had one, friend has a brand new gorgeous HA property. 3 beds, huge kitchen, massive windows, balcony, shared garden and to die for park views, in best part of the city, under £400.

They have great income and can enjoy it.

😲 it's not free people still pay rent.

It's not free, the rent is less than private but it's not free unless your not working. I work and pay full rent on my council house.

I actually think it's a leftover stigma from the dire situation with council houses in the 70s which were terribly neglected (like zero maintenance was done), leaving families in shocking conditions, as councils couldn't afford ongoing maintenance on so much housing stock, until right to buy was brought in (I'm not saying it's right or wrong, just that there was a dire situation and this was the solution that was enacted).

Then with the mass closure of widespread British industries came mass unemployment and anti social behaviour increased in pockets of desperate communities with no income who were effectively being told by the government "your poverty is your own fault, sort yourselves out".

(there was a lot of other stuff going on as well, this is a very potted history)

In the 70s and 80s people around us didn't want to get a council house if they had any other options.

Social housing could be an amazing thing. For example, Vienna has outstanding social housing programme. There's no stigma attached to it either, it's not designed for lower income houses thus people in professions such as doctors live in them too.

Unfortunately, with social housing here being for lower income households there is a stigma attached.

As someone who lived in social housing for 5 years, I have a poor outlook on social housing. Not always, but generally, the estates are rough and most neighbours are rough. It's not somewhere desirable to live - simply affordable.

Oh another pertinent point was then in the 90s the councils finally improved the houses, sorted out double glazing, repaired roofs, demolished unsafe buildings instead of making people live in them etc, and now people had safe and adequate housing, the right wing tabloid newspapers started this narrative of "free houses for scroungers" which some people still believe as well.

When I was a child it was more the norm to buy. Really anyone working could buy. So those who lived in council houses were those who chose not to, or couldn't. They were generally rough areas with little maintenance.

So they were looked down on.

So yes, very generational. It's not so easy to buy these days (understatement of the day).

If you're interested in the history of council housing, the situation with the Red Road Flats in Glasgow is one that sums up how it started and how it went, from the idealism of getting renowned architects to design the estate to the inherent design flaws, the ultimate despondency of the people living there, the rise of anti social behaviour, and finally their demolishment.

I believe it’s the potential of living closer to antisocial behavior.
which also happens in less expensive neighborhoods or ones with a high volume of rentals.
antisocial behavior is really changing cities everywhere.

Yes i agree . Private rented is paid for. Social housing -rented is paid for .

Are you talking about the houses or their tenants?

The vast majority of former council houses round here are now owner-occupied.

I'm paying my full rent, and always have. Who do I apply to get it for free?🤔

What planet are you on? Council tenants pay rent, the same as people who rent privately.

I live in a desirable, mixed property area, ranging from x million pounds homes to social housing (London commute belt).

Crime is very low,and is anti-social behaviour. These mixed areas can work well - no problems here at all. 👍

Council housing is really hard to get here so I,think most people who get it will have housing benefit so aren't "paying".

It's a bit of a trap once you're used to housing benefit/dla/etc and hard to climb out of I think.

Because you usually have to have an income below a certain level to apply for one and the sort of people who look on council estates will always find an excuse to look down on others

I also think it’s the lower income thing. I grew up in one. People in social housing only get it in the first place if they are lower income and can’t afford to house themselves appropriately otherwise. They aren’t just there for the asking sadly. Yes many folks move out of this financial bracket, but initially getting a council house is because you are unable to house yourself sufficiently otherwise.

social housing is a positive, there is always a huge need in society, so n0 one should look down on it.

I think some of it could be jealousy (some of it understandable) from people who privately rent. I used to be angry about some friends who had good paying jobs who were in a nice new spacious flats, while I was on a low wage and privately renting. Also there simply isn't enough social housing in the first place.

I presume the poster put “for free” in quotes because that’s what some ignorant people actually think, rather than that poster thinking that. I could be wrong though.

New housing association flats I should have added

I think it’s the potential proximity to anti social behaviour.