To think that this is a prime example of the entitlement from some people in this country?

[MealDeal1]

Someone on a large FB group that I am on posted yesterday to say that they want to move abroad and gave examples of a couple of countries that they want to go to.

They then said that they live in council housing here so would need to be 'housed' over there and how do they go about getting housed?

Basically they wanted to move abroad and get given that country's equivalent of a council house/social housing on arrival.

AIBU to think this is the absolute height of entitlement?

With regard two thirds of people in council/social housing claiming HB. The age profile would be older, so fewer people working than in private rented. Do you really think it would be cheaper for the state if all those people rented privately? HB to council tenants is essentially just a 'money-go-round' from the council to the council. None of it makes its way into private hands.
The reason we don't have more council housing is ideology, and it's costing us all a fortune, we really do need a massive councilhouse building programme similarto post war. And I say this as a private landlord myself, so I suppose you could say, it's not costing me a fortune, I'm making money out of it.

The thread was started as a goad. Another thread to pick on people by assumptions

Social housing is definitely subsidised. I worked for Local Authorities for years, including collecting rent payments for some of those years. Councils don't charge full market rent or anything like it. They usually charge about half of the Local Housing Allowance, which is the maximum Housing Benefit that private tenants can get.

For example, three years ago in my local area, a three bedroom council house was approx £110 per week. A similar house rented privately at that time was approx £250 per week.

The rents collected cover the costs that the Council incurs by being a landlord so it's not that Council Tax payers are subsidising tenants. But Councils don't seek to make any profit like private asset holders do.

You are the one who is misinformed. It’s cliched thinking. Brainwashed by the Daily Mail

@MealDeal1 it’s a prime example of Facebook.

Hang about in the average FB group and you’re going to be constantly disappointed and/or worried for the future of mankind. At best you’ll just be irritated by people asking when Tesco opens as if they don’t have the ability to Google or trying to hook you into their pyramid scheme. You’ve got to let it wash over you.

Are council houses free? I think you will find many in council houses pay there way.

People in social housing still pay service charge if they live in a flat.

I really do know what "subsidised" means:

"a sum of money granted by the state or a public body to help an industry or business keep the price of a commodity or service low."

No state or public body granted anybody money. The Bank of England kept the interest rates low, but no specified amount of money was granted to any individual, business or organisation.

Manipulating interest rates for the benefit of the economy is not a subsidy, because nobody is ever directly granted money.

Prime example of being stupid.

It was called quantative easing

They have a shock coming. My som emigrated there 15 years ago, when he married an American woman.

It was made clear from the start that he had no entitlement to any public funds - healthcare, welfare or housing.

He was thoroughly checked out as was I and his Dad. He had various interviews.

He got his green card, has worked and paid taxes, but he’s still not entitled to much.

He has the normal health insurances, they bought a house and he works - but he’s still entitled to very little.

America has a totally different system to the UK.🙄

But many social housing tenants pay their rent. I pay £900 per month. Not sure where you live with those rents! 🙄

I honestly thought this was going to turn into a thread about economic migrants expectations when coming to the UK.

Though I have noticed a gleeful snobbery in the UK towards poorer British people, especially towards their poor education (which reflects more on society and educational facilities failures imo).

But any poor, uneducated none British people are given much more compassion.

I don't think there are many people even those of us in social.housing who think it's easy to move to America
The Op has take one comment from one poster ,to make people think social housing residents are thick and ignorant 🙄

A lot of people coming to this country do this (in reverse) so why not the other way for a change eh?!

That's hilarious. The stupidity.

Council housing is let out at a discount to market rent so they get subsidised by taxpayers/society.

In some years council housing portfolios were loss making which is why many councils put them in separate arms length bodies so that council tax payers wouldn't have to fund the losses.

That isn't to say people who AREN'T on housing benefits or tax credits/universal benefits don't pay their way, but i suspect most benefit from the kindness of tax payers.

The fact that social housing tenants pay their rent doesn't mean that the housing isn't subsidised. This is the whole purpose of social housing so that tenants can afford to live places where that they otherwise wouldn't be able to afford. It is why concepts like affordable housing is controversial as the discount isn't deemed high enough.

The problem with the denial around subsidy is that it is misleading and prevents people from having sensible discussions about social housing. Where will the subsidy come from in the future to allow more social housing to be built? How do we ensure that this subsidised housing is allocated fairly? Is this good value for money for tax payers? Etc

Does this person live in Cloud Cuckoo Land? Do they not realise that these countries don't just take anyone? You can't pitch up at Ellis Island anymore. What about work? Certainly Australia tend to have quotas for certain jobs, usually where qualifications are needed and dependent on if they need those workers (teachers, doctors, nurses, etc). You can't just turn up with empty pockets and say 'house me'. Visas, for example? And good luck with moving to the USA. Do ask your friend how they will fund this fairy story. 😂😂

Well, I don’t and never did. Not sure why social housing tenants are considered thick - I’ve had social housing since the early 70’s, always been happy with it, and had good jobs.

The thick ones are those that stereotype., 🙄

Just a pipe dream. Doesn’t quite fit the description of entitlement. Not sure what it is!

My housing was a joint project with a housing association and private developers. It’s higher spec and higher rent.

Who is subsidising me?🤔

YANBU, but at the same time 47% of social housing in London is apparently occupied by migrants, so... I also don't see how that's any different either tbqh

We're they genuine? Sounds to me like a goady back door means to the end of 'well that's what happens when they all come here'.

Is it affordable housing or social housing?