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Original poster

Social housing and Syrian Refugees

365 replies

Plentymoresharks · 23/12/2015 08:20

Controversial one. A memo has gone out from the local council to local residents, asking whether anyone has a property they can offer for Syrian refugees, housing benefit will be paid as well as a premium and money to hold the property until it is occupied, money for decorating and repairing the property etc.

Aibu to find it ridiculous that basically the council will be housing refugees who have been flown around the world ahead of people already on the waiting list for social housing? Also, there are homeless people who I see every day, living in the park and under a car park bridge but they aren't getting this same help (the memo mentions the social and medical help the refugees will also be given).

OP posts:
RJnomore1 · 23/12/2015 08:22

Yes you are.

I can't even be arsed explaining why. I'm so angry about some of the attitudes to this.

Just as an aside that's not social housing you describe.

TheWitTank · 23/12/2015 08:22
Biscuit
Original poster
Plentymoresharks · 23/12/2015 08:22

This is in London btw, so London rents will be paid.

OP posts:
abbieanders · 23/12/2015 08:22

So what are you suggesting? Bring in refugees and not house them?

shiteforbrains · 23/12/2015 08:24

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Plentymoresharks · 23/12/2015 08:25

No I'm suggesting that if there isn't even enough housing for those who need it already then don't fly more people round the world. I have no idea whether there is more housing available elsewhere in the country, but there is a shortage here already.

OP posts:
ThroughThickAndThin01 · 23/12/2015 08:25

You are brave to post on AIBU.

But it is a controversial subject. Why won't you explain RJ?

If you invite refugees into your country to offer a safe haven, you can't expect them to sleep on the streets, so I would expect them to jump social housing queues. I take it from RJ that is an unreasonable assumption, but I don't know why it would be.

Original poster
Plentymoresharks · 23/12/2015 08:25

I can provide the memo if you like.

OP posts:
PopcornFrenzy · 23/12/2015 08:26

OP I agree with you to a point that maybe charity should begin at home but you have to remember that these people have fled their war torn country risked life and limb to have the type of life every human deserves.

I live in Germany where there are a lot of refugees being housed in big camp type places and to be honest they're not very nice at all but what can be done?

Original poster
Plentymoresharks · 23/12/2015 08:27

kva.org.uk/assets/documents/2015-landlords-information

OP posts:
Pantone363 · 23/12/2015 08:28

OP I vaguely understand where you are coming from. But they are vulnerable people who need helping.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 23/12/2015 08:28

Popcorn I read that in Germany, German residents are being displaced in favour of the refugees, is that really happening?

Original poster
Plentymoresharks · 23/12/2015 08:29

I wonder how the homeless feel to know they get less help. I do contribute to homeless charities btw.

OP posts:
PopcornFrenzy · 23/12/2015 08:29

Yep, the German people are not happy about it...the refugees are quite intimidadating too

maxxytoe · 23/12/2015 08:32

I'd be annoyed too if a refugee jumped the queue and I'd been on the list waiting for a long time

aprilanne · 23/12/2015 08:32

i totally agree charity begins at home we have enough homeless folk without taking others .

honkinghaddock · 23/12/2015 08:33

Some of the homeless people are there for far more complicated reasons than not having been given somewhere to live.

WeThreeMythicalKings · 23/12/2015 08:35

Charity begins at home?

The Earth is my home, these people are my neighbours.

SouthWestmom · 23/12/2015 08:35

Oh for goodness sake, it's just a request to local landlords that they consider privately renting to people who will be claiming housing benefit. There's a small incentive to outweigh the risks.

SouthWestmom · 23/12/2015 08:35

I actually agree with RJ on this.

RJnomore1 · 23/12/2015 08:36

Through no I completely agree with you I'm fed up trying to explain to misinformed people. Sorry if it came across the other way.

PinkFondantFancy · 23/12/2015 08:37

Oh please. All these people that say charity starts at home and we should help the homeless - people are homeless for many and complex reasons and it's not a problem you can 'fix first'. Have you seen what the people of Syria are fleeing?? I suspect not otherwise you'd have more compassion. They and their children are the same as you and I, just given a less fortunate roll of the dice

fakenamefornow · 23/12/2015 08:38

Actually I think yanbu, it's madness to house them in London. Councils have whole empty streets in some grim northern cities, they could be used for much less cost. Problem is, last thing we want are Syrian ghettos and those streets are empty for a reason, nobody wants to live there. I don't know what the answer is. I can understand why you would feel pissed off by this, image you're a family of five trying to make some sort of Christmas for your children in a grim homeless b&b looking a years before the council house you and others step off the plane straight into a fully furnished flat.

lionheart · 23/12/2015 08:38

They are refugees.

PlentyOfPubeGardens · 23/12/2015 08:39

Oh well send em back then Hmm

Social housing and Syrian Refugees
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