Housing Benefit under occupancy Help

seven-day-weekend

I have checked on my city's Social Housing website for available one-bed properties or studios.

There are 19 in the whole of the city.

However, in my postcode alone, there are ten pages of these properties in the private sector.

So it looks like those who can't afford the extra rent will either have to take in a lodger or move to the private sector.

(But then again, if my son, who is buying his flat on a mortgage, lost his job, he too would have to take in a lodger or sell the flat as he would not be able to afford to pay the mortgage. So no difference really).

ijwia

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

There are 2 systems in place now. Social Housing tenants get their full rent covered by HB regardless of the property size or rent charged. Private tenants are awarded a set amount, or allowance, which equates to the cheapest available properties in their area which meet their households need.

Isn't that being discriminatory to privately renting tenants?

if there was more social housing private landlords wouldn't get away with charging extortionate rents in the first place, as they would have appropriate competition!
and all the uk political parties believe we need more social housing so where the heck is it ???

so two wrongs make a right ? where were you educated

the reason for social housing, is so the government of the people supports people on low incomes! that's the reason
people on low incomes in private sector housing should also get supported the same as those in social housing

but governments of today seem to think they are not their to support the people anymore! that is why the governments are trying to absolve the government of any responsibility for public services by destroyinng them

we soon will have very little in the way of public services is that really what the people of the United Kingdom want ???

ijwia

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

At the risk of sounding harsh... welcome to the real world. People have to make choices when their circumstances change. For many, that has included a drop in income and the inevitably difficult decision on where to make personal budgeting cuts. Housing costs are, inevitably, one avenue where potential savings can be made.

For the rest of the housing market, size and cost are closely linked. Why, with all the other advantages already available, should social housing be any different for those claiming HB?

excepy my circumstances haven't changed except of course for my deteriorating health, had 2nd heart attack after after moving from house that was to be demolished and since had 1 more!

think this new punishment and stress will cause another, maybe i'll snuff it and then problem solved ? ehhh ?

barnaby-bear

ijwia wrote: »

excepy my circumstances haven't changed except of course for my deteriorating health, had 2nd heart attack after after moving from house that was to be demolished and since had 1 more!

think this new punishment and stress will cause another, maybe i'll snuff it and then problem solved ? ehhh ?

yes, your circumstances have changed your income relative to your outgoings have changed. Just like someone in private rental or with a mortgage if their employer cuts their hours, self-employed and the economy has a dip, they lose their job, go on maternity leave, landlord hikes the rent, get sick... you've lots of choices the same as them - move to an area that isn't your first choice, take in a lodger, move somewhere cheaper, cut your costs elsewhere in your budget, move somewhere with better employment prospects. Expecting the "state" to solve all your problems and have unlimited resources is a little unrealistic.

Moving house or privately renting or having a lodger doesn't kill people. You have entire families in one room with no sanitation in large parts of the world - a little perspective might help - have you thought of volunteering or similar to help you a bit more perspective and it might help your confidence to deal with problems that seem overwhelming to you compared to others?

barnaby-bear

ijwia wrote: »

excepy my circumstances haven't changed except of course for my deteriorating health, had 2nd heart attack after after moving from house that was to be demolished and since had 1 more!

think this new punishment and stress will cause another, maybe i'll snuff it and then problem solved ? ehhh ?

yes, your circumstances have changed your income relative to your outgoings have changed. Just like someone in private rental or with a mortgage if their employer cuts their hours, self-employed and the economy has a dip, they lose their job, go on maternity leave, landlord hikes the rent, get sick... you've lots of choices the same as them - move to an area that isn't your first choice, take in a lodger, move somewhere cheaper, cut your costs elsewhere in your budget, move somewhere with better employment prospects. Expecting the "state" to solve all your problems and have unlimited resources is a little unrealistic.

Moving house or privately renting or having a lodger doesn't kill people. You have entire families in one room with no sanitation in large parts of the world - a little perspective might help - have you thought of volunteering or similar to help you a bit more perspective and it might help your confidence to deal with problems that seem overwhelming to you compared to others?

lighting_up_the_chalice

Dunroamin wrote: »

The OP didn't say he lived in social housing previously, he said "his house" was demolished.

People often refer to their home as "My/our house", even when it isn't even a house. But I was answering your question which was much wider than just the OP.

lighting_up_the_chalice

ijwia wrote: »

excepy my circumstances haven't changed except of course for my deteriorating health, had 2nd heart attack after after moving from house that was to be demolished and since had 1 more!

think this new punishment and stress will cause another, maybe i'll snuff it and then problem solved ? ehhh ?

If your circumstances aren't changing, you have nothing to worry about. But I would have thought that a drop in overall income would be a change in circs.... wouldn't you?

mazza111

Missing the point, or I am... no 1 bedroom properties available..... no money for removals even if one becomes available... it's a vicious circle. Pretty hard to do on JSA imo.

lighting_up_the_chalice

ijwia wrote: »

if there was more social housing private landlords wouldn't get away with charging extortionate rents in the first place, as they would have appropriate competition!
and all the uk political parties believe we need more social housing so where the heck is it ???

True enough. We need more social housing capacity to meet the massive demand. Part of that will be achieved through building more units. But part of that will also be achieved by a more efficient use of stock and a reduction in the costs to the public purse. Glad you have finally come to see all the positives in moving to accommodation which matches your needs.

ijwia wrote: »

so two wrongs make a right ? where were you educated

Why would a measure of equality be a "wrong"?

ijwia wrote: »

the reason for social housing, is so the government of the people supports people on low incomes!

Well, no. You need to look into the ideals and history behind social housing to fully understand why you are so wrong.

lighting_up_the_chalice

mazza111 wrote: »

Missing the point, or I am... no 1 bedroom properties available..... no money for removals even if one becomes available... it's a vicious circle. Pretty hard to do on JSA imo.

The DWP can assist with moving costs.