AIBU to think social housing homes should be temporary?

[Shannoncakequeen]

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).

Why not I know elderly people living in tower blocks, in London this is the norm for many.

@MissMaple82

The problem.is people get social housing now when they can afford to rent privately or even buy. I know of many that do not need affirdable housing!!!

Unfortunately I think if there was an earnings cap on social housing thrn tenants would just make sure that their earnibgs stay below it by not going for promotions, going part time or doing a bit of work cash in hand.

I don't think people would want to better their earnings if they lost their home and were pushed into insecure private rentals that eat up the salary difference anyway and can be made homeless fairly easily.

Most areas have a handful of 4 bedroom social houses. Funny how virtually everyone on this thread knows lots of elderly people in these houses.

The big issue with downsizing is that there is often nothing to downsize to in the area. If there were some properties built or refurbished in every area to fit the downsizing, I am sure more people would take it on.

Agree in principle. I was really surprised when I first found out that once you are in social housing even if you start making 100k you can still stay. (I am not from uk so the "social" bit I guess translated bit differently to me as a temporary while you get on your feet thing?"

YANBU. I agree that in many cases council housing should be seen as a short to medium term solution, and should be needs-based. Obviously some people will need to be housed in a property long term or permanently, especially people with disabilities who need particular adaptations. But otherwise people's needs should be periodically assessed, perhaps every 2 years or so, and when their situation changes they should either be moved to a smaller property or move to a private rental like most people. That way houses will be freed up for families that desperately need them.

This has to be one of the saddest posts I've ever read!! Honestly you need to start asking for help about what you do next. There are loads of people on here who could give you advice. Don't wait for it to be too late.

As to those questioning why people spend thousands of pounds on their council houses. It's because when you move in to a council house there is nothing. Literally nothing. Between tenants everything is removed. So each new tenant is required to recarpet, repaint, buy curtains, all white goods and furniture. You are given the keys to a shell. That is why people spend thousands on their SH homes. Also why they have always been cheaper than a private rental (current extortionate rents aside).

People I know in council homes seem to feel the house is theirs for life then handed to their dc whereas those I know who own a home seem to plan to downsize when dc leave home. My parents certainly did this in selling the family home after db and I moved out. Suggest that re social housing and you’re being outrageous.

There was an MP not long ago that lived in a Council house with her son that she employed to work for her in Parliament. I thought it particularly outrageous that somebody on that type of salary, employing their own child through nepotism, was blocking Council housing for people who actually needed it.

Would you want your grandma living in a tower block?

What's needed is an overhaul of the entire system. There should be adequate and affordable housing for everyone. Housing in this country is outrageously expensive and there is far too many empty properties and properties owned by foreign investors.

Personally I think affordable homes should be the norm and not just for those in dire need. And rent means tested based on household income.

Nobody should be frightened of being turned out on the streets in 2022

There are limits on capital and earnings limits to join the housing register-if you are on a fixed term tenancy this is looked at on renewal. As is bedroom need.

However if it’s not a fixed term tenancy once you are in you are in.

Completely agree OP

Apparently a load of BTL LLs will sell up when interest rates rise. Maybe councils should be empowered (and funded) ti buy up those that don’t sell easily in the open market. It would be a quicker way to swell social housing stick than building. With the added advantage of creating mixed-tenure communities.

But surely the caveat to getting social housing is that you are in need, and when you are no longer in need you can house yourself. It’s not ‘their’ home anyway it belongs to the taxpayer. Why should some people have their housing subsidised by the taxpayer when those taxpayers are paying extortionate amounts to put a roof over their own heads at the same time?

In many countries, it’s perfectly normal to live in social housing for life. It’s just a form of secure rental at a controlled price. Not actually an unreasonable thing.

We need to build alot more housing stock so that people who need it get a look in, without turfing older people out.

Then greedy landlords wouldn’t be able to charge so much for private rentals, as demand would go down, which would benefit those still renting privately .

My nan was an empty nester in a 3 bedroom council house when I was a kid growing up in care. My Foster parents were horrible to me and what got me through it, was being able to stay with my nan at Christmas and in the summer holidays, knowing that I had family that loved me and that 1 day I would be free.

If my nan didn't have those extra bedrooms, my sister and I wouldn't have been able to be with her.

She was later pressured to move out that house and into an old people's home (for lack of a better term) so a younger family could have use of that home when I was much older.

I think it was good that she moved so a family could have that home, but I'm also overly grateful and feel so blessed that she had that property so I could be with her and have a break from a toxic situation. The housing crises has so many different effects on so many different people. It's not one size fits all.
I agree the system could better and hopefully the government will focus on this, but a nuanced stance will always be hard to achieve.

My elderly aunt lived in a tower block in Tower Hamlets until she died in her 80s. Someone she went to school with lived across the hallway.

She wouldn't have moved anywhere else.

Re: social housing... I do blame Thatcher and her selling off of council housing. That depleted the stock, pushed private rents and then house prices up, leaving an awful lot of people in the UK one of the richest countries in the world never being able access decent, secure accommodation.

Nearly 50% of ex-council houses are now owned by private buy-to-let landlords.

But, no, I don't think people should be required to leave their homes and even if I did, most are rented under a secure tenancy agreement so people can't be evicted unless there are very good reasons eg substantial non payment of rent.

My parents did not buy their council house as they wanted it to go to a family when they died.
If they would have been turfed out, I would have bought the house for them.

It may not be their ‘house’ but but it definitely is their ‘home’.
2 different things, yes they may not own it but it is still home to them, where they have maybe always been and have a support network.
I’m not saying it’s right that a single person is in a 3 bedroom place but don’t be so disrespectful, some people ended up in council accommodation because of unfortunate circumstances so don’t be such a snob.

Count yourself lucky you have never needed to be ‘kept off the street’, maybe one day you will and hopefully more empathy will be shown to you than you have yourself for others.

And the people living in social housing are usually tax payers too

Of course people see their social housing as their home ,I have lived in my house now for seven years it's my home, itbis also my children's home ,my youngest son has severe autism and learning disabilities he will always need a home with us ,one day I may get an inheritance ( which isn't guaranteed) and if I do I will buy a house not the one I currently live in because if I'm honest the area is shit but if I don't then I have no Intention of moving

This is just another SH bashing thread. Go start a thread about the real problem. Greedy buy to let landlords.

I’ve heard this before but why

why would councils rip out good carpets or basic kitchens or bathrooms

why leave an empty shell

surely it’s not diff from buying a house and thinking omg that Carpet is yuk (Red In My case) but you live with it till can afford diff

aa long as in council you make sure you have like for like.

so if uou move in and hve a kitchen. You have to leave a back. Kitchen or lose next place