It's hard not to be bitter

[Smileeriley]

I have a day job Mon to Fri.

I leave there come hom for an hour, cook dinner, out a wash on and leave for an evening job.

I do 4 evenings on week and six the next.

Today as I arrived at my second job I witnessed a woman take delivery of her 161 BMW.

She gets HAP.

I also know she's going to New York for a week on Wednesday.

I have a mortgage that is killing me.

This is not a benefits bashing thread but fuck me, it's hard not to be pissed off at this.

Sure look we all know people making a living off the state. Experts at it. It is Totally unfair that they can do this and exploit an over generous welfare state. Entrepreneurship isint valued here. Over inflated public sector full.of admins in lanyard s. Its terrible workers are punished every way you turn BUT comparison is the thief of joy. Be angry at the stupid govt who has us where we are.decrepid health and education for its citizens.we are far too welcoming to anyone arriving here and the like . Wonder would their countries be as generous !!! Its totally unsustainable .we are a country of stupid idiots taking in people and irish people on their knees #lookafterhomefirst isint the mantra of anyone in govt unfortunately. Its tough but you really dont know anyones circumstances.its like people all over facebook saying how they love their amazing wife and down the pub at the weekend with the wedding ring off chattin women. Just ignore

I'd be mad too @Smileeriley 😢
Good reply @Radyward

"Comparison is the thief of joy"
I learned of that phrase on Mumsnet.
It is true.

I have over the years felt the same myself but then I think, I have the security of owning my own home. I have something to give to my kids in the future, inheritance to set them up. I would not have that if I was renting be it privately or on hap or whatever schemes there are. It does feel unfair I guess.

I'm sorry OP, it's hard not to be despondent - especially about the housing crisis. The government have had years to do something useful and have failed miserably. They talked a lot of about helping the 'squeezed middle' in the last election but haven't really.

My sister lives in a council flat with her two children, which I don't begrudge her as she was a single mother and struggling for quite a few years. Fine.

But what gets me is she doesn't seem to appreciate how much this is offsetting her lifestyle, and now that she is in a better job and earning well, it allows her to use her money for other things, like a nice car. The reason she can afford to go on holiday and buy nice things is because she has an artificially low housing cost.
If she was renting privately she would be paying so much more with no security whatsoever. She is not struggling anymore, which is fine, but council places are supposed to be for those who can't help themselves.

And she said recently she wants one of her kids to take over the tenancy in the future - I didn't even think that was allowed, but apparently it is. Surely it should go to someone else who needs it as there is a huge waiting list?

If you are talking about social housing in Ireland then yes it can be kept for the life of the parent and then passed down as a friend of mine has a social housing home and it is for the life of the family.

Not sure about UK laws but only commenting as this is in craicnet!

I know somebody on HAP but the landlord could sell the house at any time. With the housing crisis where would that leave her? I really don't think there's much security in getting your rent paid by HAP. She moved in before the ukrainian crisis so there'd be NOWHERE available now, if her landlord wanted her out.

If she had the security of say 25 years in a council house then I'd think she had security but would you swap? I'd rather have my house and my mortgage and I wouldn't envy anybody on HAP

I think it's quite a precarious position.