To be sad about what was said to me today

[Luceeviejayne]

I have been lucky enough to get the keys for a new build from the council. It has a mix of private rent, council and home buyers. Some of the houses are still being built. Today I was waiting outside to get the keys and some builders went past in a car and said something along the lines of ‘…getting a house from the council’ and laughed really loud. I have been very lucky after fleeing DV with a 3 year old and I feel really upset and embarrassed

The pp probably means young women/men who have babies with no steady partner and no income. I think in these circumstances you qualify ahead of those with no children? The majority (upwards of 60%) of renters in social housing are on housing benefit.

None of this 👆 is meant as an opinion or a slight btw, genuinely just an explanation as to why the 'free housing' stereotype endures.

I think it depends on where you live @K0OLA1D, certainly in the North it is relatively common for people to rent from social LL or the council.

I think what’s meant is that benefits will cover the rent- hence they say it’s “free”. Not everyone contributes towards their rent.

Enjoy the home OP, take no notice of what the men said.

The rent is being paid via housing benefit, which any renter could get.

Don't see people spouting off about free houses when someone in a private rent gets housing benefit though.

Social housing and housing benefit are two completely separate things.

@Frequency yes I think it makes a big difference. The house I'm in now along with all the others on the small estate used to be HA. Now there are only 2.

But people in private rents get housing benefit and their rent paid. But no one ever mentions that that is 'free'?

It's either snobbery or jealousy. Neither are needed

Congratulations on your new home, OP! And well done for escaping an abusive relationship. Don’t let some idiots spoil it for you 💐

I worked in social housing and can tell you there’s thousands of people on the waiting list who would love to be signing up for a property- ignore those ignorant eejits and be even more proud of yourself for getting out of a bad situation and doing the absolute best for your child. Enjoy your new home.

Were they definitely laughing at you? Possible they weren't

Congratulations on new home. How lovely it's brand new, for your fresh start

They are inconsequential knobheads who should be ignored. Don’t give them a minute’s thought. Congrats, enjoy your lovely new home ! 🪴

Ignore the assholes, and CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR FRESH START! I am so pleased for you and your child that you have been brave and strong enough to get out of a DV situation, and you're able to start anew with a property that will be your home for hopefully many years to come.

I'm really happy for you, and I hope you don't let the idiot builder tarnish your joy. You deserve to be happy and for your child to be safe. All the builders have proven is how small minded they are.

Keep your chin up op. You are a strong woman and you deserve all the happiness that life has to offer. Congratulations.

What is a "free home", and how does one get it? I live in social housing, I pay for it every single month. It's certainly not free!

Congrats @Luceeviejayne, I hope you and DC are very happy in your new house.

You could take what these morons have said to heart, or you could think about the many people who inherit houses and whether anyone says to them "getting a house for free eh?"

They're arseholes. Why care what arseholes think? I'm glad you've got out of a horrible situation, good for you! You deserve every happiness OP, enjoy your new home 💐

How brave and hilarious of them to shout out like this. I agree, 'van men' can be disgusting, thinking they're funny and showing off to the lads. They have no idea how upsetting it can be, maybe they do and don't care. Ignore, they are bored and seek out anyone to be vile to, they aren't clever. Once had one drive past and shout out 'fat thighs', the van stopped at the traffic lights, and I challenged them, saw they were actually fat fuckers and scoffed at the hypocrisy. Of course, they just came back with only having a laugh (u stupid cow), told them they were as funny as the filth on their number plate which is illegal and phoning my Dad in the police force (days before mobiles) who was on duty to report it. Lots of laughing and expletives followed but I did, don't know what happened but that was a marked van for sure! Dick heads 🤪

Don’t allow morons to turn what is a wonderful occasion to something negative.
You are extremely fortunate to get a council property. Many would love to be in your position. Trust me
Enjoy your new home. Wishing you all the good things that life has to offer

Stupid arseholes say stupid things, OP, and I'm sorry you had to hear this.

Don't give it any more thought, they don't merit the space in your head. I hope you and your child are very happy in your new home and that it gives you the peace and security you need to recover from what has clearly been an incredibly tough time.

I don’t even understand how this is an insult. ( I grew up in a council house).

I wouldn’t have even assumed it was an insult.

I’d put this down as ‘ I have no idea what was going through their heads and I’m not going to give it a moment’s further thought’

Congratulations on your new home. Council housing is brilliant. Affordable and lifetime security. Enjoy your new home!

They are wankers OP! Enjoy your new home x

Don’t give him another second of your head space.

You are obviously pretty amazing to have escaped DV and got this far on securing a much happier and safer future with your dd.

Enjoy every second of making your new house a lovely new home for you both xx

I haven’t made awful life choices, I live in a council property and have done for almost 40 years. It certainly isn’t free, and for the rent I’ve been paying, I probably have paid far more than a mortgage. I will never own this home and should the council decide that when our children leave home, that we are under occupied, I will be moved to an area I didn’t choose, to a property I didn’t choose.

Please tell me where these free houses are, I’ll make a couple of awful life choices and put my name down!

Congratulations OP, I wish you and your family, many many happy and peaceful years in your new home without fear or violence xx

If you need a bad life choice I can give you my ex husbands number... 🤣

If it’s a big new build estate like Bellway or Cala homes they won’t do anything - they’re almost exclusively miserable subcontractors who can’t get better paid work elsewhere.

I think nowadays people that get a housing association type home. Are truly those that deserve it. Like yourself. Well done for getting yourself and your child to safety. Those with old school opinions of free homes etc need to be educated.