Gaining social housing when working.

FBaby

samwich1979 wrote: »

Well i have just been off work for 6 months with back, hip and leg problems. Also b12 definciency, abnormal liver function and Epstien Barr.

Im not recovered completely and im sorry but my job is a very stressful, physical job which i couldnt of coped with full time.

People have reason why they have to reduce their hours, it isnt always just to get more time at home you know.

mmm... you mentioned having been off on maternity leave, then asked to reduce your hours which was turned down, then you went off sick for 6 months, they agreed to it upon your return. You mention clearly that would wanted to spend more time with your baby. And no, I am not stalking, I work for the NHS too and am also interested in reducing my hours, hence reading that thread.

In the end, when a family works 3 days out of 10 possible, they can't expect the same standard of living then couples who work three times. Dealing with pests and some damp is common to many people, including home owners on low salary who can't afford to sort it out immediately.

bestpud

My guess is the families in the council houses you see are working a 'decent' amount of hours and have taken the trouble to get their finances in order.

My nan always said 'people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones.'

Pippin12

To be honest the majority of people you see in the good social housing are probably homeowners and have bought their houses under the Right To Buy legislation. There is very little LA housing left and what is, is usually in pretty run down areas.

Morlock

samwich1979 wrote: »

The paint was coming off the walls in places and some parts in the bedrooms hadnt been painted it was just bare plaster.
The door on the boiler cupboard had been broken off half way down and was hanging off and the work surface in the kitchen was chipped everywhere and dirty as where the cupboards.

That sounds like the average standard for a social housing property too, except you'll be lucky to get a carpet as they are usually all ripped out.

Morlock

pickpocketlocket wrote: »

Why should someone that works hard for their income not be eligible for social housing?

Many local housing authorities prioritise working social housing applicants over unemployed applicants. Being a working household will earn extra points and higher priority on the waiting list.

Morlock

marybelle01 wrote: »

The current situation has been caused by demand outstripping supply.

"The current situation has been caused by..." dwindling supply.

Morlock

Pippin12 wrote: »

I've got a council flat but it was a proper mess when I got it. A drug dealer had lived in it before me and there were used needles scattered around. For ages I had drugs addicts calling round wanting to buy off the previous tenant. Added to this it was an empty shell and needed carpets, blinds, curtains, white goods etc. I had to gut the place and it took my entire life savings of £3000 to make it habitable.

And now you can't afford to live there any longer and have to restart in a different flat because of the upcoming 'bedroom tax' as you have a spare 6x8 box room?

Pippin12

Morlock wrote: »

And now you can't afford to live there any longer and have to restart in a different flat because of the upcoming 'bedroom tax' as you have a spare 6x8 box room?

Err...yes Morlock. How did you know...?????

PippaGirl_2

I think I'm right in saying secure tenancies are ending either this year or next or was that just talked about and didn't actually happen? Then of course it will be easier for the council to force people to downsize and not just encourage it with a BT

Pippin12

PippaGirl wrote: »

I think I'm right in saying secure tenancies are ending either this year or next or was that just talked about and didn't actually happen? Then of course it will be easier for the council to force people to downsize and not just encourage it with a BT

OMG - they're going to get rid of secure tenancies? That's awful. I haven't heard anything about this - I'm just hoping against hope they haven't brought it in.