Couple with child near me, offered a 2-bed bungalow in social housing!

Racml34

The allocating Housing Association would not discuss with you why an applicant was offered a particular property. Firstly it is none of your business and secondly allocations are confidential. Would you want your neighbours to be able to phone up and find out why you were offered a property? I think not. In most parts of the country they operate on a choice based lettings system or a points based system. In either case they would be awarded a particular amount of points or band according to their need. Bungalows in rural areas are not as easy to allocate as they sound. Unless it is disabled adapted then the only criteria would usually be 'preference given to applicants with a ground floor need'. If no one suitable bids on it or wants it then they would go on to those without that need. This couple or their child may have health needs which are not visible, e.g mental health.

Forgive me if I sound harsh but I do find this attitude disappointing. Yes it's frustrating when you work hard and can't get social housing but as someone who works hard as a housing officer who has only just been able to afford to buy her first property I don't feel jealous. I just feel very fortunate not to be in the position that most of my tenants have been in to qualify in the first place.

POPPYOSCAR

It is mystifying though how some seem to get properties over others.

I know of a situation where a family was renting a high end house rent of over £2500 per month which they stopped paying after 3 months.

When it got to court many months later they owed 1,000s in unpaid rent said they were broke and were subsequently given housing by a housing association.

When the references were taken out his bank accounts showed 1,000s of pounds in there, so where did it all go in just 3 months?

I cannot help think this is unfair when so many are on the waiting list for years.

Lord_Baltimore

Racml34 wrote: »

The allocating Housing Association would not discuss with you why an applicant was offered a particular property. Firstly it is none of your business and secondly allocations are confidential. Would you want your neighbours to be able to phone up and find out why you were offered a property? I think not. In most parts of the country they operate on a choice based lettings system or a points based system. In either case they would be awarded a particular amount of points or band according to their need. Bungalows in rural areas are not as easy to allocate as they sound. Unless it is disabled adapted then the only criteria would usually be 'preference given to applicants with a ground floor need'. If no one suitable bids on it or wants it then they would go on to those without that need. This couple or their child may have health needs which are not visible, e.g mental health.

Forgive me if I sound harsh but I do find this attitude disappointing. Yes it's frustrating when you work hard and can't get social housing but as someone who works hard as a housing officer who has only just been able to afford to buy her first property I don't feel jealous. I just feel very fortunate not to be in the position that most of my tenants have been in to qualify in the first place.

So, what you're saying is tantamout to 'mind your own business?".

If I might say so, your post is an excellent example of why there's a need to question the decisions made by Councils and if the OP so feels inclined, he/she might use the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to extract the information not immediately forthcoming.

lighting_up_the_chalice

Lord_Baltimore wrote: »

So, what you're saying is tantamout to 'mind your own business?".

If I might say so, your post is an excellent example of why there's a need to question the decisions made by Councils and if the OP so feels inclined, he/she might use the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to extract the information not immediately forthcoming.

It's a Housing Association, not bound by FOI.

Lord_Baltimore

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

It's a Housing Association, not bound by FOI.

Fair enough, but I was referring in more general terms to Council owned properties. Housing Associations are publicly-funded though aren't they?

lighting_up_the_chalice

Lord_Baltimore wrote: »

Possibly, but there's no harm in establishing the facts with the Authority.

The only "facts" any individual will be able to establish are those contained within the allocations policy. Simple enough to establish without even asking the provider.

lighting_up_the_chalice

Lord_Baltimore wrote: »

I didn't say it did but I don't see this limits the right to ask the question. In fact, aren't we all encouraged to take interest in local issues, spending and priorities?

By ensuring that a housing association spends as much of it's revenue as possible answering pathetic queries from busy-bodies, rather than spending it on the provision of good quality, affordable housing? Interesting view on social responsibility you have there.

lighting_up_the_chalice

Lord_Baltimore wrote: »

Fair enough, but I was referring in more general terms to Council owned properties. Housing Associations are publicly-funded though aren't they?

Not really. They charge rent, see?

Lord_Baltimore

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

The only "facts" any individual will be able to establish are those contained within the allocations policy. Simple enough to establish without even asking the provider.

In my experience, it always pays to get the full information from the horse's mouth.

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

By ensuring that a housing association spends as much of it's revenue as possible answering pathetic queries from busy-bodies, rather than spending it on the provision of good quality, affordable housing? Interesting view on social responsibility you have there.

You do understand the concept of democracy don't you?

lighting_up_the_chalice wrote: »

Not really. They charge rent, see?

You mean they charge heavily subsidised rent. See?

carefullycautious

Removed reply as this whole thread has become silly. NO wonder the op has not come back on.