to ask why so many people think social housing is subsidised?

[butwhythen22]

Not a TAAT but inspired by a recent mention on here - one of very, very many.

I live in a council flat, FWIW.

So, so often I hear people say that it’s subsidised (the implication that someone else is paying part of the cost on my behalf).

This is not correct. The building is owned outright by a housing corporation. It’s a non-profit organisation that charges enough in rent and service costs to cover all its overheads, which are presumably many. This rent is, however, substantially lower than what the flat would fetch on the open market.

However, nobody is paying that “shortfall” on my behalf. It’s simply that the housing corporation’s mission is to provide affordable housing, so they are not charging more than they need to in order to keep everything running well.

(I don’t even receive UC or rent subsidies or anything like that, not that there would be anything wrong with it if I did. I support myself from paid employment.)

Why don’t people get this?

This is unbelievable.

You don’t think shelter is a fundamental human right? Seriously?

Where does your water come from?

Outta the tap. Yours?

If market value for a hip replacement is £12,000, but the NHS covers it for £200 (prescription drugs, private transport to/from the hospital), isn’t the cost of a hip replacement to the NHS patient subsidised? By the taxpayer (which may also include the patient)?

Who...

Built the tap?
Installed the tap?
Built the pipes?
Maintains the pipes?
Acquired the water?
Treated the water?
Pumped the water?

Really

since I don't agree that SH is subsidised, that doesn't really answer my question either.

I'll make a smite more of a simpler question. If you struggle, I refer you to my very first post on this thread.

Why would anyone give up a secure tenancy for one that is not....?

Nope.

Cotton, on the other hand...

Holy shit! That is mega rent.

OP, I suppose this illustrates why people might call it subsidised.

If you think of it from a personally jealousy point of view, if HA rent is £500 and private is £2500, then it actually is irrelevant whether the government/council/anyone is "making up the shortfall of £2000" because an HA tenant is paying £500, but a private one is paying £2500.

It's kind of like Tesco charging £1 for a loaf of bread generally, but letting anyone over 80 years old have the same bread for 20p. Nobody is subsidising, but the person who is paying more might feel personal jealousy.

People are resentful of those that do not work, are able-bodied and still live in one. How do they pay rent other than from benefits. It’s hardly them paying is it…

I haven’t read the whole thread but have to admit I am one of those so will read the thread to educate myself. I thought social housing carried cheaper rent that private rented accommodation hence why there was always a longer waiting list/it was more in demand..

And put themselves back into the same situation that led them into social housing ?

Or perhaps it's that lots of people are frustrated living in a society where over half our population take more from the system than they contribute?!?!?!

I'm neither a DM reader nor a Tory supporter but I do think the benefit system is a joke and needs to go back to being a helping hand to get back on your feet, not a way of life.

People who don’t work are living in private rentals too. The rent is higher so therefore costing the tax payer more in revenue. Building more social housing would cut the bill

Of course. Its original intention was as a safety net not a lifestyle choice.

Yes I’m fully aware of all that. I pay.

They are 3 storey 5 bedroom homes but it's still crazy and I'm fully aware of how lucky I am.

I had to check. I thought we were on a SH thread. Not a benefit thread?

It wasn’t. Social housing was to provide decent homes for working people. “Homes fit for heroes” was the promise of the huge post war increase in social housing.

Do you not think that those are two separate issues though @RatatouillePie ? I mean social housing and living on benefits for no “ good “ reason?

How many people live on benefits when they could actually work? Surely not over half the population?

I have to admit I don’t know much about the benefits system but from what I’ve picked up here and there it’s not a fortune, and a lot of people get into a “trap” where they might want to work more but it would actually cost them money to do so (money that they can’t afford).

It does show that a lot of people conflate social housing and living on benefits though, which goes a long way towards answering my question.

Yes, benefits were supposed to be a safety net.

What's that got to do with SH though?

If it is being let at a rate below market value ( ie what a private kandlord could get) then it IS subsidised

The two are often linked. Cheaper below market rent means less incentive to better your finances. Or it also means it makes it affordable not to work.

I don't know anyone that thinks social housing is subsidised but I know many on full benefits that don't work that get their social house paid for.

We always get down to it on these threads. We will on the next and the next. People will come and fill those threads will fluff but it always comes back to the same thing.

that people think SH is linked to benefits. So therefore I refer this people to my first post on this thread.

Then you get the person (s) who believe that the inflated private rents are the bar to reach 🙄

I think they ought to charge more, but below market rate, to those who can afford it, and use the money to buy more housing. It's shocking the divide between those who are forced to pay private rent and those in social housing, when some of the former can have a much greater need.

@gamerchick

Simple answer: so that we can continue to offer affordable housing to those most in need.

Lifetime tenancy is an outdated concept in the current housing market. We need social housing for the most vulnerable in our society, not whoever got there first can stay forever mentality.

So yes, if you can afford to move on from social housing, you should. Give someone else a home that they can afford.

And many people who privately rent, will eventually buy their own home...