Social Housing

missworks2jobs

I'm getting a bit depressed and really just wanted to know if anyone has any glimmer of hope stories.

I'm living with the in-laws have been for a year. We had to sell my flat to pay off debts (cleared all mine, still using 2 wages to clear hubbies). So cannot afford a mortgage or private rent. We've applied to our local councils housing list. Been on there a year now. You have to "express an interest" in the houses they have on offer and if you're succesful they'll ring you in 3 working days and offer it to you, then the next person etc. I've expressed an interest in 5, and never got them. I've filled out all their forms but cos me & hubby aren't priority (no kids, no disabilities) and arent' an exisiting "excellent customer" we're quite near the bottom of their list and are only eligible for 1bed houses or, 2 bed flats or bedsits. I'd rather stay with the in-laws in their nice big house in the quiet housing estate than a flat in a run-down area (I know beggars shouldn't be choosers but i'm looking for a "home" not just somewhere to sleep). Plus i'm not leaving my pets (need a garden-keep getting offered flats).

Looked at their "recently let" lists, and just about all of the 2bed houses have had at least 300 people apply for them, and the people who got the house have on average been on the waiting list for 5 years!!!!!!!!

We want a house in preference to a flat, so we can start a family but they tend to only put people who have children already into a house cos obviously they need the room more. Some friends have suggested lieing and saying I live on their living room sofa, or to get pregnant to get a house, plus if it doesnt work like that....i'm enflicting sleepless nights onto the potential grandparents who still work full time (and shifts) its unfair packing an extra person into his parents spare room - we'll be taking over their home.

Just after some good vibes....see if there's any happy endings out ther. If I was single I'd happily share with a few girlfriends or rent-a room, but being in a couple isn't ideal to rent a room, plus for some apparent reason people assume a couple earn more (or have fewer expenses) than two individuals, and it doesn't seem to work that way for us!

Fire_Fox

If you have wants and desires over and above what social housing can offer you, then perhaps social housing isn't for you? If you want a home suited to raising a family and keeping your pets then keep working on your debts and save up a deposit or move into a private rental. Having recently had my ex move out of my flat, I can assure you it really is cheaper to live as a couple than two singles you have forgotten how expensive electric heating is.

Inspirational threads include Weezl74'S 'Eat Healthily on 50p per day' on Old Style, and her newer diary on the MFW board, 'Live on £4K for a year' (a whole family) on DFW and it's update on the 'How much have you saved?' board.

poppysarah

Finish clearing the debt and save up for a while.

Are you in a dire rush?

PasturesNew

Social housing is a long wait in most areas - it always has been. You're not a priority. There are two of you working.

You've already had one bite of the cherry ... now you have resulting debts which need to be cleared. The only thing you can do really is carry on working, maybe get a 2nd/3rd job for the short-term. Focus on clearing your debts and building up savings, then move into a studio flat together for a year, then get somewhere bigger.

Stuff doesn't happen overnight... and time flies. Look to the long-term and continue applying for social housing, but don't even dream you'll ever get one, don't pin your hopes on it. Pin your hopes on clawing your way out of your current situation.

It's all about patience and taking responsibility.

poppysarah

You should pat yourself on the back too for accepting the debt and paying it off. A lot of people pick going bankrupt as the easy way out.

Running_Horse

It can happen. I know someone who used family addresses to apply in several different areas, and they just happened to have finished a new development in a very nice town, and probably decided they only wanted working people to give their nice new 3 bed houses to. But that is obviously rare.

Long term you may want to think about saving up for shared ownership. Not ideal, but if you want a nice house at an affordable price, it could be right for your circumstances.

Engelbert

You are very lucky (yes really) that they will even consider you for a 2 bed place- most councils won't even consider you. Plus if you are bidding on 2 beds you are in competition with families. Did I read right that you have been offered flats and turned them down?

DON'T lie on the application form. If you get a place and the council finds out you have lied they will go to court and take the flat away from you, and also prosecute you for fraud. Besides they should be verifying everything you tell them on the application form

Sorry but you need to be realistic. Maybe consider a large 1 bedroom flat and start a family, then once you have children you would be considered for a transfer and have more priority.

Social housing is about need, and doesn;t take the possible children you might have in the future into account.

bitsandpieces

Even if you did get pregnant/have a baby, would that make it easier for you to get a bigger council property inc. garden? Babies don't really need much space to begin with and plenty of people bring up children in a 2 bed flat.

savingmummy

we have been on the list 4 years and still waiting. We bid each fortnight or express an interest but nothing.
We are married, have 2 children and are in a one bedroom flat!
We have up to a 8 yr wait so it has been suggested by our local council. (essex)
If it wasn`t for the social housing many people wouldn`t have a roof over their heads ie, US so we are grateful for what we have and will wait patiently.

Private is the way to go.

Lying to get a social place is not the answer and i certainly wouldnt get pregnant just to get a place - very irresponsible and a baby is classed as 1/2 a person until its 10!!! Plus a baby wouldnt help your debt repayments.
If you want a big place, in a flash area then social housing isnt for you unless you get lucky.

Jowo_2

missworks2jobs wrote: »

I'm getting a bit depressed and really just wanted to know if anyone has any glimmer of hope stories.

None, sorry. There are millions on the social housing waiting lists and healthy working childless people are low priority in the way the allocations are set up.

In some areas, the shortage of social housing is so acute that the local councils can barely discharge their statutory obligations to house the homeless, as required by law, which is why they run so many schemes to provide deposits to those in housing need and get private landlords to lease them properties.

You need to change your requirements (be less fussy) or be more patient. At least with Choice Based Lettting, you know what you are up against, it's much more transparent than hidden waiting lists, but its much more obvious there is high demand and few resources.

Radiantsoul

Perhaps you could look to house share?
Good luck and well done for addressing the debt issue.