To continue to live in social housing

[dealer]

Think I probably am unreasonable, but also think I'd be crazy to do anything else.

I have been previously in severe need, hence why I'm in social housing at all. I now work full time, self-employed, earning approx 17k per year, dh earns 6k part time, and also is doing an ou degree. This means that while we are by no means living in luxury, we could in theory support ourselves in private rental. Obviously we're nowhere near being able to buy.

Our rent is about half what it would be on the open market. If we moved, we would definitely have to move to a cheaper area, which would be doable for work, but the children would have to change schools. The social housing that we live in is just one row on the edge of a private estate, so few social problems compared to large city estates. The areas that we might be able to afford to live in have much higher levels of problems. These are areas that I would happily have accepted a house in, when desperate, but now I feel I'd be stupid to move my 3 settled dcs there with the added risks involved.

With my rent doubling, we would have to get rid of 1 car. We have 2 because I have to drive for up to 10 hours per day for my work. Therefore dh would have to go without. He works in the more expensive area so would have to use public transport to get in, he does shift work, so not sure how feasible that would be. I would probably have to collect him at midnight a lot. With having to change all 3 schools (secondary, primary and nursery) I suspect their travel arrangements would be a problem too. The schools in this town are very full so they would probably end up all over the place. Of course many people manage this sort of thing all the time, but again I'd be daft to do so if not necessary.

I believe that social housing, and cheap rents should be for those in great need, as I once was, so feel I should vacate this property. However, I don't feel I would be doing my best for my children if I did so. I also don't trust the authorities to prioritise those in greatest need. I waited 5 years to be housed adequately although homeless with a young baby, while my severely disabled first husband had to live in a residential home. He was also terminally ill, and I believe that the council dragged their feet in the hope he would die before they had to house us. A friend of mine was housed within 6 weeks because they classed her as overcrowded because there were 4 generations living together. They were living in an enormous 5-bed house with seperate annexe.

So AIBU to stay in this very cheap house, 10 mins walk from the beach, which saves us at least £5000 a year?

You have a lot of heart GoingRoundTheBend.

I do wish we could have amssive reinvestment in social housing; it would save so much. Our HB claimed would be zero if we had a LA home, and we'd have a home for life which with the boy's needs would be immeasurably valubale, allowing us to access services- for example as a family living here we are classed as not qualifying for any sure start support even though we are low income with 2 autistic kids and another having been referred for diagnostic assessment. And Dh having MH issues. I don;t want to lose this palce; it's my home and we will battle for it for as long as is possible but should they want it back then I could see the benefits of LA Housing as well as the awfulness of moving away.

"I believe that social housing, and cheap rents should be for those in great need, as I once was, so feel I should vacate this property."

I think you've hit the nail on the head there and I'm shocked that the council haven't checked your status. There are so many worse off people than you who are desperate for a roof over their heads. You have the funds and the ability to make it on your own (and your OH only works part time!)

The council can't check their status; LA housing is by law a lifetime tenancy once in (but that is changing)

bet pliff is either a homeowner or a bitter private renter.

There was a really interesting prog on social housing on the box the other night. Initially, prospective tenants were vetted strictly to qualify and it was only later (compounded with the selling-off of social housing stock) that those who deemed to be in most "need" were prioritised. You were in genuine need when you took up your tenancy and although your circumstances have changed for the better, you are not wealthy and you are a conscientious tenant, so please don't beat yourself up!

i saw that fedup i think, was it the one on bbc4?

Yes - the other night. I think I need to get out more!!

haha :) me too, i actually fell asleep in front of it actually so didn't see it all, how old lady is that?!

Perfectly reasonable for you to stay where you are. I do know what you mean when you comment on people's views here that you are on a low income. In reality your income is slightly lower than average, but there are a lot of people much poorer.

Mumsnet seems to attract better off mums who will have an income well above average.

But getting a secure tenancy in the private sector can be difficult. Staying where you are gived your family security which is important when you have children.

Just to say as well that social housing is non profit. But often rents are paying for the cost of maintenance and housing staff. The actual cost of building a house was often paid for by Central Government funding - often years ago.

Because private landlords don't get given money to build or buy a house, they have to charge the real cost of providing a rented house which does include buying it - plus of course a profit. But this is why private rents are often much more than social housing rents.

I'm another who thinks you should stay put. You don't say where you live, but in most parts of the country, your wage is not very high for bringing up a family. I think average wages are c. £24,000, but that's per person, not per family.

When your OH qualifies/gets his degree, he may be able to get a well paid job. That is probably the time to think about moving on.

Also agree with whoever said that a lot more state housing would be a good thing. If I needed it, it would be great to think that I had a secure tenancy and a fair rent.

I think its perfectly reasonable for you to stay in social housing.
You are setting an excellent example to people on benefits. If social housing had no working people then it would become a getto of people who see benefits as a way of life.

If you have a spare cash then save up for a desposit for a mortgage. When your DH gets a job then you can get on the property ladder.

YANBU
I would strongly recommend you stay where you are. I would perhaps, long term, if you can afford it look into right to buy or buying a shared ownership or open market house in the future IF you want to buy but not private rent.

23K is quite a low wage as well. I would say £40K upwards would be more realistic with house prices as they are.

If people say social housing should just be for people in dire need then there would be no incentive for people to 'move upward' and bother getting jobs. If only those who don't work get one then you will end up with estates full of the unemployed rather than a mix of working and non working people. It also would reward those who milk the system and can't be bothered to work (not the genuine unemployed who want to work or cannot).

So keep your house and don't feel bad. Years ago a large portion of the population lived in social housing, including the 'lower middle class' who may have been able to buy. Because there is a shortage now doesn't mean you should have to vacate.

Dealer, I have been homeless with DS when he was 2. In the end we got our HA place. We too, would have to pay double if we rented privately. I applaud you for thinking about it. I would feel the same.

When we were homeless it was the worst point in my life, parhaps worse than losing my mother. I know this sounds funny, but I felt such a sence of failure and hopelessness. I had been going to all the estate agents in my town looking for a place to rent without luck for weeks. When I contacted the housing dept at the the council they kept on fobbing me off. I was under increadible strain as I was staying temporarily with DF and DSM, and the atmosphere there was terrible. It is soul destryoing when you feel you have outstayed your welcome with the people you love. In the end, my DSM threatened to throw DS and I out, and the council put us in emergency B&B.

So, I know there are hundreds of people like me out there who are desperate for a place to call home. I do feel that when you can afford to move into a suitable place near to your current home, you should move. If the rents are too expensive in your area, no way should you have to upheave your family to another place.

oh how I dream of being housed in social housing, since my partner passed away I have been on the list with 3 children, I work and private rent, which is a great worry, I'm always expecting to get a call to say that they want to sell up. It's false economy for the council to have to help me out with housing benefit, when in social housing I can afford the rent.