Social Housing - Any point applying as a single male?

Looper86

So, I’ve been on the housing register with my local authority for just over a year, every time a new property comes up in my area, I bid in hope of hopefully finally securing one, but unfortunately after over a year of doing this I’ve started to realise that in its current capacity the housing system is fundamentally broken and as a single 30-something healthy Male I have zero eligibility to ever get on the housing ladder as someone else is always going to be more eligible than me.
Has anyone else got experience of the social housing system and is there really any point even participating in it as someone in my current standing? What other options do I have (if any) or should I just give up hope with it all?

AdrianC

Your gender has nothing to do with it.

As a 30-something adult with no chronic health issues or disabilities, no dependants, presumably already securely housed, presumably nothing keeping you out of employment... you are perfectly capable of sorting your own housing out.

You simply do not need social housing anywhere near as much as other people without all your advantages in life.

Be thankful that you aren't among those whose needs are greater than yours. I'm sure they'd prefer not to be in so much need.

"The housing ladder" usually means buying a small flat or similar starter home, then - as your income and equity increase - upgrading to a larger home in a nicer area. It doesn't usually involve waiting for social housing when you could be privately renting or saving towards buying.

elsien

It really does depend on where you live and what the general availability is. 
I got one (many years ago) because quite frankly it was a dump in an area that no-one else wanted to live in.
More recently a single twenty-something working friend of mine with no vulnerabilities or extra points managed to get a small one bedroom council flat. I suspect they would find it harder nowadays because of the bedroom tax and more people both wanting housing and needing to move to a smaller property. Even then, in London they would probably have had no chance. 
One year is a very short wait indeed though. You will be bottom of the list, you may never get anywhere, so is there a plan B?

greatcrested

Friends of mine, a couple straight out from uni, got a 2 bed flat in London. 18th floor of a dump of a tower block with no working lift that no one else would live in.

Back in the 1980s.

Now? No chance unless you have a disability, dependant child or other higher priority issue.

Looper86

AdrianC said:

Your gender has nothing to do with it.

As a 30-something adult with no chronic health issues or disabilities, no dependants, presumably already securely housed, presumably nothing keeping you out of employment... you are perfectly capable of sorting your own housing out.

You simply do not need social housing anywhere near as much as other people without all your advantages in life.

Be thankful that you aren't among those whose needs are greater than yours. I'm sure they'd prefer not to be in so much need.

"The housing ladder" usually means buying a small flat or similar starter home, then - as your income and equity increase - upgrading to a larger home in a nicer area. It doesn't usually involve waiting for social housing when you could be privately renting or saving towards buying.

I guess you are right and it doesn’t, a single female of the same standing would most likely find themselves in very much the same situation.

To my knowledge (and understanding) having a chronic health issue has no governance over eligibility for social housing, this is the first time I’ve heard of it.

I’m unsure what you mean by “you are perfectly capable of sorting your own housing out” so unable to offer additional comment around that statement.

I think your reply comes across as a little hostile, negative and offers little to no value as far as addressing my current situation so I’ll take this opportunity to end any further correspondence.

Looper86

elsien said:

It really does depend on where you live and what the general availability is. 
I got one (many years ago) because quite frankly it was a dump in an area that no-one else wanted to live in.
More recently a single twenty-something working friend of mine with no vulnerabilities or extra points managed to get a small one bedroom council flat. I suspect they would find it harder nowadays because of the bedroom tax and more people both wanting housing and needing to move to a smaller property. Even then, in London they would probably have had no chance. 
One year is a very short wait indeed though. You will be bottom of the list, you may never get anywhere, so is there a plan B?

General availability seems reasonable, a lot of properties cross the books each week, but due to my banding tier I’m someone that is seen as having no requirement for housing (I guess there will always be someone that needs social housing more than myself).
Currently “Plan-B” would be to continue in my current arrangement of living-with-parents, unfortunately I don’t have the capital to buy outright, financial capacity to mortgage and private rents are out of my affordability threshold.

Looper86

greatcrested said:

Friends of mine, a couple straight out from uni, got a 2 bed flat in London. 18th floor of a dump of a tower block with no working lift that no one else would live in.

Back in the 1980s.

Now? No chance unless you have a disability, dependant child or other higher priority issue.

Yeah I’m guessing that’s the case, I’m fortunate enough to not have a disability, I have zero dependants and no other circumstances that would come into play in regards to banding and eligibility. So I guess it just means I’m stuck where I’m currently at with things.

wolfehouse

 There are help to buy schemes for those who can’t afford the whole purchase price        https://www.helptobuy.gov.uk/

Seashell517

Looper86 said:

elsien said:

It really does depend on where you live and what the general availability is. 
I got one (many years ago) because quite frankly it was a dump in an area that no-one else wanted to live in.
More recently a single twenty-something working friend of mine with no vulnerabilities or extra points managed to get a small one bedroom council flat. I suspect they would find it harder nowadays because of the bedroom tax and more people both wanting housing and needing to move to a smaller property. Even then, in London they would probably have had no chance. 
One year is a very short wait indeed though. You will be bottom of the list, you may never get anywhere, so is there a plan B?

General availability seems reasonable, a lot of properties cross the books each week, but due to my banding tier I’m someone that is seen as having no requirement for housing (I guess there will always be someone that needs social housing more than myself).
Currently “Plan-B” would be to continue in my current arrangement of living-with-parents, unfortunately I don’t have the capital to buy outright, financial capacity to mortgage and private rents are out of my affordability threshold.

Rather than waiting for social housing to be available, maybe have a think about other ways to move out of your parents? Can you do anything at current job or find another one to increase your income? Can you rent a room in a house share rather than renting a place to yourself? Can you change areas to somewhere more affordable?

HampshireH

You say private rental is outside of your financial capability. Why is this? A lot of people on minimum wage private rent? Could you be eligible for benefits? Could you get s better paid job?

What are you earning?  And what area are you in?

To be frank, one year on the list is nothing. @AdrianC reply was honest. Single male with no housing need could be waiting 10+ years.

Medical needs do get prioritised as that creates more need.

You are adequately housed. Albeit with your parents.

AdrianC

Looper86 said:
I’m unsure what you mean by “you are perfectly capable of sorting your own housing out” so unable to offer additional comment around that statement.

I mean exactly that.

You have nothing stopping you earning money.
You can use that money to pay a fair market rent for your housing to a private landlord. You may be able to buy somewhere of your own.

You do not need the basic safety net of social housing, unlike people without your advantages.

How much do you earn? Minimum wage, full-time, is about £18k/year. Take-home, that's about £1,350/mo.
Where in the country do you live?
How much is monthly rent for a one-bed flat in your area?