Military Money Saving.. Sub Standard Housing??? 29 January 2009 at 2:11PM in UK armed forces MoneySaving 22 replies 2.6K views

warmhands.coldheart

Sorry if this isn't exactly Money saving and No I'm not in the Armed Forces but ater seeing this I am really miffed that it may seem that our Armed Forces are living in Sub-standard Housing.

See http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/northern_ireland/7858304.stm


112 former Army homes in County Antrim are going to be used for social housing.
Social Development Minister Margaret Ritchie said her department would buy the houses in Pond Park, Lisburn, and convert them for housing need.
There are 2,578 people on the housing list in the city, with 1,587 listed as being in 'housing stress'.
DSD is buying the homes from Defence Estates, which manages MoD property.
QUOTE!!"These former MoD homes are in very good condition and can be quickly converted to bring them up to social housing standards," Mrs Ritchie said.


WHAT.. SO ARE THEY SAYING PEOPLE ON THE DOLE ARE ELIGABLE TO BETTER QUALITY HOUSING THAN OUR ARMED FORCES??

strong96

yep thats what they're saying, some of our housing is shocking

RainbowBrite_3

Absolutely correct.

The state of some houses we have had has been disgusting.

We might get cheap rent but I dont particularly like living in a hovel.

warmhands.coldheart

Unbelievable, I'm absolutly Disgusted..... And RainbowBrite, you say you get cheap rent.. a lot of these folk on the dole pay NO rent so that makes the insult even worse in my eyes...

warmhands.coldheart

adouglasmhor wrote: »

It might have escaped your attention, but houses in NI are not much use if your man is stationed in Wiltshire. They are former service MQs and the number of soldiers and airmen in NI is steadily being reduced.

No it hasn't and thats not really my Point... Just querying why housing suitable for Army Personel would not be suitable for Social Housing.... "i.e Brought UP to Social Housing Standards"

And yes I know social housing does not necessarily always mean on the Dole.. just an example of those requiring social housing....

MoneyHoney

Yes, outrageously that's often the case.


I worked in social housing and the condition/standards were often better than what the forces are allocated. Forces families in MoD accommodation are not tenants and therefor do not have tenants rights, they are only 'licensed to occupy'.

Thanks for posting, it's nice to know someone not in the Forces notices these things too

Oh, and the 'cheaper' rent for the 'accommodation' is assessed on many points e.g. isolated locations, access to services, levels of disruption, numerous postings/home moves when forces families have to move, loss of 2nd income and the lack of tenants rights.

strong96

cheaper rent maybe but ciloct (council tax) is extortionate (100 quid a month). when you think of what they're paid monthly for the hours they do takes the !!!! aswell.

adouglasmhor

warmhands.coldheart wrote: »

No it hasn't and thats not really my Point... Just querying why housing suitable for Army Personel would not be suitable for Social Housing.... "i.e Brought UP to Social Housing Standards"

And yes I know social housing does not necessarily always mean on the Dole.. just an example of those requiring social housing....

From the article

"Oaklee Housing Association has been appointed to take ownership of the three bedroom, semi-detached family homes which will start to be allocated from April once minor repairs and renovations have been completed. "

"These former MoD homes are in very good condition and can be quickly converted to bring them up to social housing standards," Mrs Ritchie said.

So minor repairs and some renovation, possibly also ramps in some cases for wheelchairs as local authorities have to house special care as well. The article also does not say how long they have been unocupied as this would contribute to any work needed.

I remember when the dirty communist PIRA scum detonated a bomb in this estate, I also saw some rotten MQs and some good ones. The reall stinkers did tend to be in the middle of nowhere or on camp where the MOD could hide the state of the place from the public gaze. Maybe the subject is pushing the wrong buttons with me and if I am coming across as rude I apologise.

Andy_L

strong96 wrote: »

ciloct (council tax) is extortionate (100 quid a month).

£1200 council tax - a lot of people would say that's a bargain rather than extortionate

strong96

depends where you normally come from down south maybe, midlands thats takes the !!!!

adouglasmhor

Glasgow 1 bedroom flat that's about the same.