is social housing a good or a bad thing?

[Dirtbagsmummy]

just wondered as keep seeing little comments about it???

I'm so jealous of you all! I tried to ask about moving to a house but they said i had no chance!!

lucky gits!!!

I'm jealous too! I pay £500 pcm for a privately rented terraced house and would love a council or HA place. Got no chance though, as I live in a big city and the waiting list is huge. Most properties are offered to those who've been on the list for years and years. I've only been on the list since last May so got no chance.

Just plod along on the list and you will get there. Theres loads of new build HA/Private sheltered accomodation being built in my area and if one elderly person is in a 3 bed house they get money to move from the council. Cameron may knock this on the head though. The sheltereds are lovely. I know where im going at 55.

Good quality affordable housing is a foundation of a civilised society.

I don't get why it is called 'social housing' though. Wot, as opposed to 'anti-social housing'?

It's as nonsensical as the term 'human rights lawyer'.

They told me I couldnt even go on the list as I'm already in one of their places, had I known I would be this place forever I would have held on till a house came along :(

And just to be clear I only used the term 'social housing' as I had seen it be referred to in that way in many different posts so I assumed I was being the odd one out, I dont get it either!!

Moondog - it's 'social' housing because the providers are 'Registered Social Landlords' ie having to abide by a different set of rules to private landlords. Rents are semi-regulated by central government and as others have said the tenants have far greater rights.

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sorry bout that, kept not posting my message, then going back to the talk menu...very strange.

Love my HA house, been here 17 years and although I really need a larger house, I love my house too much to move so am putting it off.

Landlords are really good so far at getting repairs done quickly and to a good standard. Am really happy here.

To go back to he OP. Social housing (or whatever we want to call it) is a GOOD thing. Only trouble is that there are not nearly enough properties to meet the need.
I am fortunate to have a HA 2 bed house because my son is autistic... that's the only reason I got it though.
If DS was not autistic I could work full time and would then earn enough to privately rent.

Dirtbagsmummy If you had waited, would you have had to turn down many properties before a house came along though?

FWIW, I do think that there should be some incentive to 'upgrade' from a flat to a house when you are in Social Housing, since houses are scarce and alot of people living in flats would like a house at some point. (I'm only referring to flats and houses which have the same nuimber of bedrooms, ie 2 bed flat to a 2 bed house)
I lived in a flat with the same HA for almost 11 years while waiting for this house.

Yes I probably would have had to pass, and then be told they wont help as i'm too picky! To be fair tho, I moved in here a week before i was due so didnt really have the time to wait!! Still sucks tho

LeonieDelt, try ringing the housing department of your local council and asking them, or even make a appointment to sit and go thru things with someone, good luck x

Leonie my Mum was allocated a HA house because she left her partner and is sole carer for my sister who has Downs. They have since moved again to another HA new build house because it is close to my sister's new specialist school. I know you are not in the same situation but it would seem that points are given for SN/school situations.

Did you do that from my post or were you planning to do that anyway? either very quick or spooky!

The rent should be a lot cheaper than private renting(except in my case ffs!) but if you are still struggling you could inquire about housing benefit to help towards rent too.

...and wait for a house!!!!!

Hi Leonie - it won't involve social workers - just the housing departments medical advisor and I'd say you have a very good case.

It's usually a local doctor/GP I think. Not sure who covers my council but my Mum's friend ho works in Housing says he's notoriously tight and hardly ever gives points. As DS's autism is higher functionin I didn't think I'd get any points from him but he gave me loads and I was offered this house within 4 days of getting the letter telling me my points had gone up.
He didn't need to see us but I had to includeproof of diagnosis, proof of DLA etc.
Hope you get on alright Leonie - housng is such difficult issue. If you are already in a house with a grden you might have to demonstrate the reasons for moving. Bloody social housng - not nearly enough of it.

am very jealous of some of you here...

i live in a crappy 1 bed flat on an awful estate. i have spent thousands renovating the inside but am embarrased to ever invite anyone new to my home because of the awful pissy lifts and drug dealer ridden back stairs.

its even worse as i have no bedroom, my 6 year old son has that and i have a sofabed in the sitting room.

my rent is £475 a month and i have been told i am not entitled to a bigger flat and will never get moved. im a single mum and cannot afford the private rents around here (at least £1000-£1300 for a 2 bed) even though a work really bloody hard for 50 hours a week

another lady on my floor has 3 kids in her 1 bedroom and the refuse to re house her aswell!

Are you in social housing njhc?

If so they have given you crappy advice. They will have to move you eventually but often an get away with it until a child reaches a certain age. I live in Essex and the "put a sofabed in the living room" advice is what parents are told here too. Doesn't work that well when a parent works night shifts.

mmsmum, I dont know where you are getting your opinions from and I really dont care. I went from having to buy the house from my ex, to ten years later having to sell it, due to working every min to keep it, then to private rent at £1000.00 per month which was half my salary and then..... being offered a flat in social housing. I do not live with drug addicts, alcoholics, low life scum. I live with normal people who are so eternally grateful for being offered social housing and keep the homes they live in very very nice. I am proud to live in social housing. So OP if you are offered a place take it, you can make it into your castle.
good luck
xx

I had a lovely HA shared ownership flat once. All the properties were aimed at key workers, so we had a ready made social group as well and lots of mutual support. It changed my life for the better and I have always been very grateful for it.