To not understand social housing.

[Doomsdayisstillcoming]

I’m going to keep this vague as it could easily be outing.

I don’t get social housing? How does it work?

I’ve never expected that my wife and I could ever be eligible, but I’m starting to question that, but even if I was I never would take it because there must be thousands in need more than ourselves.

We recently moved into an apartment complex in a city with V expensive rent. Block opposite us is social housing. I see families, patents with a baby. But I also see a young couple, no children, living in a two bed flat? I thought maybe there was a reason, fair enough.

Then today I notice the ground floor flat opposite that has been empty for ages (someone left the lights on for about a week and I could easily see it was emptied recently) has two people I recognise. I think they were living in my block (1 bed flat costs 1300/1400/1500/month), and they moved over. No children. Clearly it was empty for a while whilst they finished up their rent in my block! We have homeless people sleeping rough literally metres away. A guy literally sleeps at the bus stop over the road.

Is social housing just about playing the system?!? I thought it was a nightmare.

AIBU to think “what on earth?!”

You goady little tinker

Oh here we go with the goady judging...... stock up on popcorn everyone....

Can see right through this one.....

You clearly know zero about homelessness.... so what if there’s homeless people nearby? What’s your point??

Most places will be a mix of privately rented and social housing with some 'affordable' housing too. The council decides who is eligible but the criteria are complicated so if you have a 'local connection' for example that helps.

england.shelter.org.uk/support_us/campaigns/what_is_social_housing#:~:text=Social%20homes%20are%20provided%20by,housing)%20or%20a%20local%20council.&text=The%20key%20idea%20of%20social,secure%2C%20long%2Dterm%20tenancy.

HTH

@Griefmonster

england.shelter.org.uk/support_us/campaigns/what_is_social_housing#:~:text=Social%20homes%20are%20provided%20by,housing)%20or%20a%20local%20council.&text=The%20key%20idea%20of%20social,secure%2C%20long%2Dterm%20tenancy.

HTH

Thanks. Will take a look through.

So your rent might just be via the council but lower than renting privately?

Just a point about the homeless man... Not all homeless people even want a traditional "home", even if they would qualify for social housing. It can be very complicated. This isn't necessarily the case with the man you've mentioned, but it does happen.

Put your name down on the housing register - you may end up waiting ten years but at least you then have a chance.

And bidding for properties will give you something else to do instead of spying on your neighbours.

Anyone can apply for social housing. Most LAs have a banding system and the reality is that if you are comfortably able to support yourself you will be so low on the list that you won't get housed. However, if someone is finding private rental difficult, they may well get, say, a band C. Most LAs now have a bidding system. Even in band C, flats and houses in less desirable areas will be more available.

No op.... private rent is inflated

Social housing rent is at a ‘normal’ level

@backtowasteanotherhour

Just a point about the homeless man... Not all homeless people even want a traditional "home", even if they would qualify for social housing. It can be very complicated. This isn't necessarily the case with the man you've mentioned, but it does happen.

Perhaps. He looks like he has hit a bad time. Middle aged. Has a suitcase with him.

I just felt terrible knowing he was there, and there was an empty property so close.

The people who’ve moved might’ve been placed in temporary accommodation until their new home was ready.
Either way, it’s nothing to do with you. Just another goady post.
It’s clear you aren’t a fan of a government so I don’t know why you’d want to rely on them for housing anyway.

It may be that some of the properties across the way are shared ownership which is also classed as affordable housing. The familiar faces may have purchased one of those properties?

Social housing rents are cheaper than private, yes. I think, like a lot of things, if you don't know it's a possibility, then you don't know to try for it. Why not put your name on the register? It can't hurt.

Go chat to him ...have you talked to him? Do you know if he wants a flat?
Or volunteer at homeless charity
You have no idea about his life ?
You don t know how the flats are allocated
You don't know the people's needs

You can apply yourself them You will see the process?

@Warmduscher

Put your name down on the housing register - you may end up waiting ten years but at least you then have a chance.

And bidding for properties will give you something else to do instead of spying on your neighbours.

My colleague did this. After 11 years she managed to secure a brand new house on a nice estate.

@Embracelife

Go chat to him ...have you talked to him? Do you know if he wants a flat? Or volunteer at homeless charity You have no idea about his life ? You don t know how the flats are allocated You don't know the people's needs

You can apply yourself them You will see the process?

Yeah I contemplated taking him hot drinks, etc. But I didn’t want to come across patronising or rude.

Volunteering is probably a better idea. I’ll look into it.

I’m not applying. We have fairly good jobs. If somehow I got something, I’d feel like I was taking away from someone who needed it more.

@mildlymiffed

It may be that some of the properties across the way are shared ownership which is also classed as affordable housing. The familiar faces may have purchased one of those properties?

Yeah, this is probably the answer. It makes the most sense.

Yes, you are being unreasonable to think "What on earth?"

Social housing is housing rented from social landlord. Contrary to popular belief it isn't subsidised, just non profit making. Anyone can apply for it, but properties are allocated based on need. Oh and social tenants are not scum of the earth doing a homeless person out of a home. They are normal people, just living their lives.

No it doesn’t work that way op, you register and based on your circumstances are given points. Everyone who bids in a property goes in order of points so priority is the highest and let’s say a person who is classed as being adequately housed but wants to move to another house is probably at the bottom of the list, the person at the top of the list who has voted will get first offer then it will work it’s way down the list each time someone rejected that property.my bil for example is classed as adequately housed but hates where he lives so he is given minimal points so every property he votes on he doesn’t have a chance, I may be wrong but it works the same with someone on a good income I believe they would be at the bottom of the pile

@BanginChoons

Yes, you are being unreasonable to think "What on earth?"

Social housing is housing rented from social landlord. Contrary to popular belief it isn't subsidised, just non profit making. Anyone can apply for it, but properties are allocated based on need. Oh and social tenants are not scum of the earth doing a homeless person out of a home. They are normal people, just living their lives.

👏🏼 I work in social housing - good expiation

I think people who live sheltered lives fail to see the complexity and sometimes vicious cycles of homelessness. Just because someone is homeless also doesn't mean they want conventional accommodation, it's more complicated than that

@Joinedjustforthispost

No it doesn’t work that way op, you register and based on your circumstances are given points. Everyone who bids in a property goes in order of points so priority is the highest and let’s say a person who is classed as being adequately housed but wants to move to another house is probably at the bottom of the list, the person at the top of the list who has voted will get first offer then it will work it’s way down the list each time someone rejected that property.my bil for example is classed as adequately housed but hates where he lives so he is given minimal points so every property he votes on he doesn’t have a chance, I may be wrong but it works the same with someone on a good income I believe they would be at the bottom of the pile

Ah okay. Thanks for explaining.

Perhaps the system is working. I’m surprised there wasn’t a single parent who would have bid, but there you go.

I’m not applying. We have fairly good jobs. If somehow I got something, I’d feel like I was taking away from someone who needed it more.

That’s not how it works. You get nominated for a property based on your housing need. So you wouldn’t get a property ahead of someone who has a higher housing need than you because that’s not how the system works.

Unless what you’re actually saying is that you think other people get allocated a property ahead of people with a higher housing need?

OP, don’t feel awkward about offering the guy a drink and a sandwich. I used to feel that way myself, but all too few people bother.