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Living near Affordable Housing - Whats it really like?

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  • LittleMax
    LittleMax Posts: 1,408 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    edited 17 April 2013 at 12:35AM
    I think I can see what you were trying to say, but you have confused the issue hence the OP seeking clarification, "So your[sic] saying that every family allocated to the houses will be working?"

    You need to explain that you are not saying that. You are only saying that for the 3 shared equity homes. For the 15 properties for rent, they may go to people who are not working and who are in receipt of full housing benefit.

    I'm sorry but your posts are very difficult to follow. I take it from your title that you are a surveyor, so although you work in housing, you don't have to explain rents and benefits to tenants, otherwise you'd have come up with much better ways to explain things ;)

    You and I and everyone who works in housing would tend to refer to these rental properties as 'Social Housing'. But Planners and Developers (and the Government) still refer to these as 'Affordable Housing' that is why people are confused. There is no point trying to say that the 15 houses for rent aren't 'affordable housing' ... they are! The term 'affordable housing' covers rental properties on target rent and rental properties on affordable rent as well as the various purchase schemes.

    Cornwall Council provides a good summary on their website of the 'different types of product which come under the Government’s definition of 'affordable housing'
  • MrParsons
    MrParsons Posts: 72 Forumite
    It seem typical then that the highest risk category of the renting types are going to be opposite me.

    I think given the price I'd be willing o take the risk, especially knowing we have a point of contact at the housing association in case of any problems. the fact that there will be a number of other, more expensive houses around the same area goes give me some comfort.
  • You do realise that people who don't work can rent from private landlords?
    MrParsons wrote: »
    Thanks for that detective :D

    At least with private landlords it will be people who are working and reduces the risk somewhat. Of course, there's always exceptions to the rule and half this thread seems to have been around that discussion.
  • LittleMax
    LittleMax Posts: 1,408 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    nicolas81 wrote: »
    You do realise that people who don't work can rent from private landlords?

    They can, but the reality is that most private landlords can't, or, more often, won't take people on benefits.
  • timbstoke
    timbstoke Posts: 987 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    I'm only just looking at getting a place myself, and an 'affordable housing' new build is one on my list of possibles. I haven't investigated deeply yet, but from a cursory read through the documentation:

    - I still have to provide a 10% deposit
    - If it's a shared ownership scheme, I'm immediately ineligible for most 'standard' mortgages
    - I must be a first time buyer
    - I must be in full time employment, but there is a maximum income threshold - if I earn more than this I may not be eligible.

    From what I can tell, it's basically targeted at first time buyers to allow them to get a foot on the ladder. So there will probably be a higher than average number of young residents, but they should all be employed.
  • BMW_Mike
    BMW_Mike Posts: 18 Forumite
    Hi,

    I have been following this thread with interest. Hope it's OK to jump in.

    Firstly to live in a Shared Ownership home you need to have an household income of £60,000 or less - Have a reasonable deposit - 10% minimum to get the necessary mortgage and pass some fairly stringent affordabilty tests, so financially this scheme would not be appropriate for someone (or a family) who didnt have a wage earner.

    There is also the question of "need" - On one new build estate around my local area they had 11 applications for each "affordable house" - The local authority then detimines who gets it (Financial issues being resolved). Part of the need is detirmined by being on the Councils housing waiting list - although not necesserily living in a traditional "Council House" - you might also be a key worker.

    You must be a genuine First time buyer and have not owned property in the recent or middle past - but not "ever". This puts these in reach of not only young familes but also older perhaps divorced and re-married familes, (such as ourselves) ex forces, basically a mixture.

    Simply - all those who cannot meet the exhorbitant high house prices in our area either in terms of a substantial deposit or enough earnings to support a large mortgage (or both) - and be a ftb.

    In Wokingham we have 2450 families "waiting" for Shared Ownership properties and maybe 40 houses - mostly flats or 2 bedroomed houses including a few re-sales.

    To actually get a Shared Ownership ( I am talking specifically about part buy with a mortgage, part rent with a small maintance charge) - No balloon payments and the like, there are different flavours of this - is quite an achievement.

    Would you look after your place and your area - most certainly.

    How do I know this stuff - We are in the midst of trying to purchase (if that's the correct term) one of the 3 bedroomed properties.
    I understand the issues with this, we currently live in rented and are on notice to move - our landlord has other idea's for the house we are in (not of our making).

    Am I a little scared in general yes - and that the area might decline in 10 to 15 years time - to be honest, also yes, but it's what you make of it. There are other estates in the area of similar size and age and they are fine.

    The area we have in mind is a brand new estate - with about 290 houses on it, - 11 of those will be 3 bedroomed Shared Ownership houses, - 15 2 Bedroomed houses - Same Shared Ownership and one small block of flat,s low rise, 3 floors with maybe 20 flats, - I suspect these will be the "traditional Council flat" with tennants assigned by the housing association.

    The remaining 230 odd houses are all "private" being sold by either Bovis or Bellway homes. The estate is perhaps 3/4 complete at the moment, some of the private owners have moved in anyway.

    Possible issues - No garages, on the estate the Shared Ownership houses are grouped together in clusters of maybe 5 next to each other and tend to be at one end of the estate but they are not altogether and are interplaced with private housing. I dont believe you would actually know the difference.

    Anyway - after this long pre-amble sorry for that, - Would you be likely to let the area decline, - No absolutley not.

    I would be interested in the opinions of the respondants on here.
  • Talc1234
    Talc1234 Posts: 273 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    My house is 3 years old, I moved in last month and I live opposite 'social housing' .

    No noise (except kids playing outside occasionally) my 2 parking spaces are not blocked, the development is managed and there is no rubbish outside, no late night parties etc.... Some are on benefits while others work

    Neighbours are friendly, the collect parcels for me when I am away at work. many of them drive nicer cars than me.

    Until you have moved you will never know exactly know what your neighbours are like. But if you managed to get it at a good price, it is a nice place and you want to live in the area, go for it.
  • If you are that worried maybe this development isn't for you. However there is no guarantee (unless you are one of the elite few) that you won't encounter problems wherever you go.

    I have found that the more money paid for a home the more territorial people become and disputes flare at the drop of a hat.

    I hope you find what you are looking for.
  • hazyjo
    hazyjo Posts: 15,475 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Haven't read all the replies so apologies if it's been said already - but if properties haven't sold, it's possible the developer will sell them as more 'affordable housing'. If it bothers you, make sure the properties around the one your interested in have actually sold!

    I used to live on a 'posh estate' in Brentwood. Full of newbuilds (well, built within the last 10 years, with more currently being built). Yes, there was social and/or affordable housing, and yes you could spot it a mile off, but there was never any trouble, and the properties did seem well looked after.

    Generally on the estate, people didn't obviously socialise, kept to their own houses, were polite and waved over a fence, but that was it - actually, even a bit of looking down noses at people they thought didn't live in a house as big as theirs.

    Over by the social/affordable housing, there were kids playing outside, neighbours all seemed to know each other and some would be sitting out the front with a drink or three, and there would be more music, fun and laughter.

    Actually, I think I'd rather have lived over there than in the house I was in at the time lol!

    Jx
    2024 wins: *must start comping again!*
  • LisaLou1982
    LisaLou1982 Posts: 1,264 Forumite
    Chutzpah Haggler
    Its not the type of housing that attracts scum.... its the type of person that they are.

    they can live in council housing, affordable housing or that 2m mansion on the other side of town. Theres no way of knowing until they move in.
    £2 Savers Club #156! :)
    Looking for holiday ideas for 2016. Currently, Isle of Skye in March, Riga in May, Crete in June and Lake District in October. August cruise cancelled, but Baby due September 2016! :j
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