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AIBU?

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Original poster

AIBU to think social housing homes should be temporary?

1000 replies

Shannoncakequeen · 06/08/2022 19:58

I know a lot of people won’t be happy about this view so I’m prepared to get flamed for it.

I don’t agree with people living in their social housing homes when they’re no longer ‘entitled’ to them.

By entitled I mean their children have left home so they have extra bedrooms they don’t need but continue to outlive their life there, and so preventing another family from enjoying a suitable home.

It’s not a bash about social housing per se as I know it is there for a very good reason. I was raised in council properties myself so I understand the importance of them being available to those in poverty. I feel many people abuse the system that keeps it fair for those who need it.

As an example, I have a neighbour who lives alone in a 3 bedroom house, large garden, garage and driveway. Ideal property for most of the population. Her children left home over 10 years ago and she is in her early 50s. She told me she had decorated the spare bedrooms for her grandchildren to sleep over in the future (they are currently babies). Whilst I’m flabbergasted she would want to stay put rather than downsize to something small and suitable for one adult, I am human and understand the memories/emotional connection/a house is a home etc, but it isn’t her property and is rented from our local council and therefore I’m shocked the council haven’t got stricter policies on this type of thing. I understand they can’t legally turf out people from their homes, but there should be an incentive to rehome these people so families aren’t stuck in one bedroom tower block flats whilst single adults live in luxury.

Maybe I am bitter because I have to rent and pay extortionate money for the privilege as I cannot get a deposit to buy so I will never be able to raise my child in a home like she has. The house would be £400k+ if it was owned privately, yet she gets it for free and for life just because she joined the list many years ago when it was easy to get social housing. I know many other people in similar places to her and they all believe they morally own the property and have no concern for the housing crisis.

Does anyone else agree that there needs to be stricter rules to make it fair for everyone to have affordable housing whilst in need only (up until children leave home) and not for life? If you are in this position what makes you stay and not give up the property to a family in need? If you plan to stay in your property when your children leave home what offer would make you rethink staying? I’m aware there are new rules for new tenants but this is aimed at long term tenants.

Again I understand this will trigger some people, but morally I can’t come to grips with the entitlement of some people (excluding those who still need the property for health reasons).

OP posts:
Alittlenonsensenowandthen · 07/01/2023 10:42

I agree and disagree. We were in social housing and the biggest attraction was that I could make it my own without the fear of landlord selling (how we ended up in social housing in first place). If I'd been in that house 40 years and it was my home I wouldn't want to give it up. However I agree with bedroom tax and think if you want to stay in a too large house you should pay for the privilege.
I'm surprised she's not paying anything u less she can't work. We paid rent, albeit low (again I think this should be changed, maybe on a sliding scale - we could've afforded more).
The crux of your issue though is supply and demand. If more houses were available they wouldn't be squabbling over who had a bigger house.
Apologies, bit rambling!

category12 · 07/01/2023 11:17

Cuppasoupmonster · 07/01/2023 10:33

No she held out for a 2 bed. Not needed IMO.

Show quote history

So because you've never had the good fortune to be in a position to buy your own property, you should never be able to babysit your grandchildren overnight, or take in a family member?

The point about social housing, is that it should enable people to help entire families break out of a cycle of poverty. Given the chance, most families will help out their children with childcare, illness, or crisis - or their children are able to stay with them to help out when they're ill, which means overall opportunities are better for families - and consequently less stress on social care etc.

If we force people to downsize when their children are 18, then if that young adul.t goes to uni, they've nowhere to come back to in the holidays, or they have to immediately be able to support themselves, or you know what, THEY need social housing on their own account.

If there's a family home to come back to, they have a better chance to make something of themselves. It's so bloody short-sighted to want to deny & resent that opportunity to people.

Sandinmyknickers · 07/01/2023 11:31

Zoeslatesttrope · 06/08/2022 20:10

I thought there weren't enough one bedroom properties for people to downsize into?

This. My parents are in 2 bed social housing flat but there is nowhere for them to "downsize" to.
The narrative for housebuilding is always "what about the families?!! More 3 beds!!"

"families" can't take preference at every stage- there is more need for 1 and 2 beds than just "young professionals". And ironically it is families then being screwed by the same factor that there aren't enough 1 beds....

Sandinmyknickers · 07/01/2023 11:36

category12 · 07/01/2023 11:17

So because you've never had the good fortune to be in a position to buy your own property, you should never be able to babysit your grandchildren overnight, or take in a family member?

The point about social housing, is that it should enable people to help entire families break out of a cycle of poverty. Given the chance, most families will help out their children with childcare, illness, or crisis - or their children are able to stay with them to help out when they're ill, which means overall opportunities are better for families - and consequently less stress on social care etc.

If we force people to downsize when their children are 18, then if that young adul.t goes to uni, they've nowhere to come back to in the holidays, or they have to immediately be able to support themselves, or you know what, THEY need social housing on their own account.

If there's a family home to come back to, they have a better chance to make something of themselves. It's so bloody short-sighted to want to deny & resent that opportunity to people.

Show quote history

Completely agree.
My parents are in social housing. After uni I moved home, found a job and lived with them for a year to save up enough to then go and support myself alone in the private market. If I weren't able to do that, I likely would have had to go into social housing thereby putting more strain unnecessarily on the system. By being able to move back home for a bit, I have now been 15 years living independently in the private market (and incidentally actually own a leasehold flat!)

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 11:45

I think there should be periodic checks on salary/savings like there is with housing benefit claimants. I'm having to pay extortionate rent monthly and get peanuts in housing benefit because I work (low paid). They keep an eye on my salary via dwp to check I'm not getting paid too much HB (chance would be a fine thing!). I'm on the housing list but the lowest band so have zero chance of getting anywhere even though my dd is autistic and needs a room of her own.

I know of someone who has a social housing property organized through someone she knows who works for the local social housing dept and since then has been given a huge promotion at work. She could easily afford a mortgage/rental but gets to stay thus depriving others more in need of a home.

Yes I'm bitter !!

gamerchick · 07/01/2023 11:49

Yes I'm bitter !!

You can tell.

Not sure what you mean by 'more in need of a home' though. Everyone needs a home.

x2boys · 07/01/2023 11:53

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 11:45

I think there should be periodic checks on salary/savings like there is with housing benefit claimants. I'm having to pay extortionate rent monthly and get peanuts in housing benefit because I work (low paid). They keep an eye on my salary via dwp to check I'm not getting paid too much HB (chance would be a fine thing!). I'm on the housing list but the lowest band so have zero chance of getting anywhere even though my dd is autistic and needs a room of her own.

I know of someone who has a social housing property organized through someone she knows who works for the local social housing dept and since then has been given a huge promotion at work. She could easily afford a mortgage/rental but gets to stay thus depriving others more in need of a home.

Yes I'm bitter !!

Well it's a are going to play disability top.trumps my son has severe autism and learning disabilities,non verbal etc,we are in social housing,but we only have two. Bedrooms,he could also with his own room but it is what it is .

x2boys · 07/01/2023 11:54

We are*

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:02

@gamerchick so you think its fair that someone who can afford a mortgage/high rental is in social housing ??

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:03

@x2boys I'd love a social housing place with 2 bedrooms, it would stop me worrying myself silly about being made homeless. My landlord is selling. But yes silly me for being so demanding.

category12 · 07/01/2023 12:05

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:02

@gamerchick so you think its fair that someone who can afford a mortgage/high rental is in social housing ??

Do you think it makes sense to de-incentivise improving your lot, by kicking someone out of social housing the moment they get a promotion or better job?

Flamingogirl08 · 07/01/2023 12:09

Say it with me, "Social Housing is not free."

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:12

@category12 yes let them pay more if they can afford it. Why should they languish in a cheap home while others struggle ??

Kalasbyxor · 07/01/2023 12:19

I agree with Category12; it is about dignity. It should not be outwith the reach of council tenants to offer hospitality.

Perhaps the rent charged for social housing should be banded to reflect affordability in light of household income.

My sister was made homeless after a fire in private rented accommodation and qualified for social housing reasonably quickly, being disabled, on benefits following redundancy and over 55. Within a few years, her income was such that she could easily have afforded to pay significantly more rent than she was being charged for her small 1bed flat. She felt weird about it. A couple of my colleagues are in a similar position; household income from professional salaries which could cover a higher 'band' of rent, if an incremental charging system was used. Our estate is full of skilled tradesmen earning a bomb, living in social housing. Higher rental revenue could finance further construction and much needed repairs to existing stock.

category12 · 07/01/2023 12:21

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:12

@category12 yes let them pay more if they can afford it. Why should they languish in a cheap home while others struggle ??

But the point is, by making it so that they have to leave their home if they start doing better, you make it desirable to refuse promotions or not look for better employment. If you're going to have to suddenly find moving costs, a deposit and pay private rents, you make staying on a low wage and not aspiring to better a good idea.

What we need is more social housing, rent controls and more affordable housing, not punishing or throwing people out the moment they do better for themselves.

mynamesnotMa · 07/01/2023 12:23

I agree. Its not fair on those that need homes

Frazzledmummy123 · 07/01/2023 12:38

I can understand what you are saying and agree with some of it. I am private renting and desperately trying to get a housing association place but keep missing out by 1 or 2 bids each time. Feels like we are going to be stuck private renting forever without getting a secure roof over our head. I do feel irked at situations like you describe as there is such a shortage of 3 bed and more housing that it doesn't seem right that there are people with large social housing places on their own.

That said.... it is a double edged sword.

Where would they go? If there is a shortage of housing, therenpresumably wouldn't be ebough housing fornthem to move to, so they would probably need to go into private renting which is a rotten, all because they couldn't afford to buy a house. People shouldn't face homelessness in old age or when their kids leave all because they don't own property.

Blossomtoes · 07/01/2023 12:40

mynamesnotMa · 07/01/2023 12:23

I agree. Its not fair on those that need homes

Everyone needs a home. It’s a basic human right. Who gets to decide whose need is the greater?

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:50

Everyone needs a home. It’s a basic human right. Who gets to decide whose need is the greater?

Well maybe those on low incomes for a start rather than those who could easily afford higher rent/mortgage. Is they really so hard for you to understand ??

gamerchick · 07/01/2023 12:54

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:03

@x2boys I'd love a social housing place with 2 bedrooms, it would stop me worrying myself silly about being made homeless. My landlord is selling. But yes silly me for being so demanding.

So why the fuck would you demand people give up secure housing just to potentially go through what you are? That doesn't make sense.

What I find interesting on these threads that's it's always misery loves company. People should be as equally miserable by inflating SH rents when in reality, it's the private sector that is the real issue. Rents should be fair all over the place. Aiming for 'market' rents rather than fair rents is bullshit.

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:57

@gamerchick ffs they wouldn't be homeless if they had money for private rent/mortgage would they??

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:59

@gamerchick in guessing you have a nice secure home ??

category12 · 07/01/2023 13:00

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:50

Everyone needs a home. It’s a basic human right. Who gets to decide whose need is the greater?

Well maybe those on low incomes for a start rather than those who could easily afford higher rent/mortgage. Is they really so hard for you to understand ??

To get into social housing, you have to meet the criteria.

This "person you know" must have met the criteria when she was housed.

It doesn't make sense to throw her out of that home because she's got a promotion, because that would have made it in her interests to refuse the promotion and stay put.

The answer is not to remove people's incentive to better themselves.

Chillyweather · 07/01/2023 13:01

Social housing builds community as people aren't kicked out all the time and people have more money to spend often locally. More cheap long term housing needed

gamerchick · 07/01/2023 13:02

lollipoprainbow · 07/01/2023 12:57

@gamerchick ffs they wouldn't be homeless if they had money for private rent/mortgage would they??

You've just said your landlord is selling. How is that an advert to give up secure housing? Why would anyone do that, like really?

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