Britain's Hidden Housing Crisis

Mozette

SailorSam wrote: »

The Panorama programme last night was centered on London where people are losing their homes whether that be rented or owned 'cos of the high cost of property (although there are evictions all over the Uk) but isn't the real problem too many people living in the SE. Wouldn't the problem be solved if the Govt encouraged or even forced employers to open up in the NW; NE. or the Welsh Valleys. Perhaps start by moving Parliament to Birmingham. Think how much could be saved on MPs expenses who'd need to travel less.

Hey, what did Brum ever do to derserve that shower foisted on it. London can keep them!:p

Treevo

I didn't have much sympathy for any of them really.

I was actually sickened by the chav family. Can't afford rent and can't be bothered to fill the forms for housing benefit but they've got plenty of money for iPhones, Xboxes and, clearly, food. There was an irony with the 'mother' calling the bailiffs 'tramps'! None of them will be of any use to society so they should've been packed off to some council estate in the cheapest town in the UK.

I had a little more sympathy for the family with the larger house, or more specifically, their children because they seemed like nice, well-behaved, normal children. And the parents clearly cared about the impact their financial mistakes had on them.

As for Kevin the apparent saint! The minute he said 'you English' I thought he should have never received any taxpayer money at all. I'd like to know why he got a nice shiny flat, whereas the lady with cancer, for all her faults, didn't.

Mrs_Z

I don't know, it's difficult not to feel sorry for any of the people featured on the programme, but I can't help feeling that how on earth did they get to that point.

I mean, Kevin used to be an investment banker and lived in Kensington... well, I supposed he ploughed all his money to the venture in America which then went belly up. Still, I think he'll be ok. He was very polite and appreciative of the help offered and that will see him right in the long term.

The family with £500k mortgage - they'd had their house for 9 years or so. What happened, did they not build any capital on it? Was it all on interest-only? He had a business which did well, ok, but what happened with the money? They said that they could easily afford the £2k mortgage payments in the past which makes me think there should have been money left over for savings, etc. Or did it all go to Xmas presents and holidays....? And after the eviction they still lived with the in-laws after 9 weeks. This family somehow had their priorities all wrong.

The cancer lady - felt sorry for her, especially losing her home for such a relatively small sum of money. Could the family not help? could she have rented out a spare room?

The family with 6 kids... well, why have that many if you can't afford to look after them.

Errata

As I said, a well balanced program. Two situations to tug the heartstrings and two to make people unsympathetic.
And miles of filming left on the cutting room floor.

dawyldthing

dizzy_lizzie wrote: »

It did seem very unfair on her considering her illness. If I was a multi millionaire I'd have sent her the £9000 she needed to keep the house!!! Then at the end of the programme she went back and it was empty. Seemed a shame that the bank couldn't hold off evicting her till she was healthy again but I guess that's not how they make their money and then where would they draw the line.
x

The thing is she bought it for 50k and now its worth 180k, i should imagine she has some equity in it too. So I don't get why the bank didn't put a further charge on it or something instead to help her

lighting_up_the_chalice

Hump wrote: »

Panorama special 'Britain's Hidden Housing Crisis' 9pm tonight on BBC1 - 6 months deciding a homeless application for one of their own ex-tenant's (evicted for rent arrears) - well done LB Croydon. Ex-tenant still thinks they will get another house - well done LB Croydon!

6 months for a full homeless decision, including appeals? Sounds about right to me. Clearly they were looking to make the right decision so, yes, well done LB Croydon. And you can hardly blame LB Croydon for the applicants fantasy expectations regarding that outcome..

Miss_Havisham

the man from Redbridge threw a bag of golf clubs into the back of his Lexus before they left the property.

The mother of the 6 kids was covered in tattoos (expensive) . How they treated those children was unforgiveable, that poor little boy was sobbing behind that wall. How could you do that to your own children - personally I'd go "on the streets" to protect my family if there were really no other options.

Mobeer

One thing that struck me about the single woman who was re-possessed was that her home was still sitting idle. I'm not sure exactly how long passed between the eviction and the end of the show, but I just can't see why someone should lose their home, then still get to see it unsold.

neas

You can split this into two types.

Those who stuck their head in the sands:

1. Cancer Lady - Had most likely 100k equity (15 years repayment mortgage of a 50k mortgage - house now worth 150k). She should've bit the bullet a couple years ago, woauld've been on her terms and got more cash.
2. 500k family. Once business failed they should've drastically cut back expenses, got a lodger (looked like 4 bedroom house). They prob had a couple years to sell up. Also getting an interest only 100% mortgage was very daft (didnt i hear they bought in 2001 tho) so presumably should've been paying or saving up 150k-200k to repay mortgage? Basically lived lifestyle beyond means.



True Grafter

Kevin. Feel for him... He is the reason for the system!

6 Kids Family

6 kids, concious choice to have more kids. Mother looks like a right cow... Guy at least works but they know the council will eventuallly rehouse them so were just lazy for their responsibilities. This family make me the most annoyed because they would've got all the help necessary to keep council house and pay rent yet they prob blew all money on kids pressies and cigs/beer when they should've been responsible and pay the sub-market rent on council house and keep stability for their children. This is not the reason for system.. to fund a large family, and then cater for them when they can't be bothered themself. Just 'go back to council to home me'

david29dpo

This programme has left me wondering why it was aired at all.
It told us nothing we don't already know.
I used to think the BBC was unbiased, not any more.