Social Housing - Any point applying as a single male?

Looper86

AdrianC said:

Looper86 said:

AdrianC said:

So there y'go. You've still got five hundred quid a month in your pocket after paying rent. Lucky you. Or perhaps share a 2-bed with a friend?

A hell of a lot of households would be delighted to have that much.

I’m sorry I’ve never done private rental agreements before, I wasn’t aware that doing so covered all facilities, utilities, transport, food and everything else, it’s not like we are looking at £500 disposable income...

Nobody said disposable. I explicitly said "after paying rent".

Welcome, as I said, to being an adult and standing on your own two feet in life.

If your parents still lived with their parents at your age, would you even be here?

Back on page 1 of the thread, you accused me of being "a little hostile and negative".  No, I was neither of those. You simply did not want to hear the truth - and you still don't, it seems.

If you want me to be absolutely honest - and please note that this is still not hostility or negativity, just frank truth and reality - then it seems from your posts in this thread that you have got far too comfortable with your parents subsidising your lifestyle for far too long. It's past time for you to get the wake-up call you should have had a decade ago.

If living in your own property doesn't allow you enough disposable income, then live in a shared house.
If you don't like what you can afford on minimum wage, then get a better-paying job.
If you don't have the skills to get a better-paying job, then get more marketable skills.
If a better-paying job is not available in your current location, relocate.

Your lot in life is in your hands, nobody else's. It ceased to be your parents' responsibility a decade and a bit ago.

Edit: I've just seen your post about having no qualifications. There is your starting point... GET QUALIFIED! Without either basic literacy or numeracy qualifications such as English and Maths GCSEs, you stand no hope of improving your lot in life. Your posts here suggest you are not stupid, and that you are literate. They should be straightforward for you if you put a bit of effort in.

Complaining the world is "qualification focused" is on a par with complaining that there isn't enough social housing for everybody. It may or may not be a valid complaint, but it's one that won't change in any kind of hurry, so you have to live with it.

And, on the subject of basic numeracy... As far as the number of hours goes - mea culpa. I mistakenly put £16,177 into my calculator, not £16,777.

“In your pocket” kind of implied it, personally if I used that statement then it would mean yours to use how you wish, not pay bills etc... but we can agree-to-disagree on that.

I still think your comments have an abrupt bluntness to them (beyond this thread too), maybe that’s due to flat text having no emotion directly attached to it... or it could just be my interpretation of them, either way I did ask for other options in my initial posting, not for a berating or a lesson-in-life (I realise my circumstance is of my own making), I’m here for advice like everyone else to try and better my situation and get on the right path.

As far as getting back into education what routes would be available to me, and beyond that a lot of minimum-wage job requirements stipulate English/Maths GCSE’s, so it this going to be a fruitful endeavour or will the educational investment only position me in a similar place to where I am currently? Would an alternative such as vocational based learning against a trade or skill be available at my age (everything I’ve seen is aimed at school leavers and I wouldn’t qualify for an apprenticeship). I’m a little lost as far as everything centred around education goes, tbh I was glad to leave and never really looked back (like all school leavers I thought I knew everything).

Bonniepurple

I would LOVE to know what the OP’s parents are thinking.  I suspect it’s something along the lines of “why did we make it too comfortable for him here?”.  OP, okay, it’s not a great time to be job hunting- but you’ve got a job.  Could you do something extra in the evenings/weekends to bring in more money?  It sounds like you have got jealous of people moving on around you but don’t actually want to grow up and have responsibilities and so you think that “someone else” should provide- be it your parents (as now) or the Government (social housing, Universal Credit etc).

You are adequately housed.  Priority is rightly given to those who are not.  That could be overcrowding, or unsuitable property (think someone who becomes physically disabled and lives in a top floor flat with no lift) or those who have been made homeless through no fault of their own.  Social housing, as with other forms of government support, are for those who need it, not those who want it.

oniongirl

Deffo look in to house shares. I don't understand why you haven't, this is normally the natural progression when you're in your early 20s. If you're in full time employment and not a total miscreant there will definitely be a room available for you in a house share somewhere. Some will have bills included. I paid £500/month for all bills included bright double room with space enough for desk, armchair and wardrobe, and direct access to the gorgeous garden in a houseshare in very north north London (Borehamwood), in a house of professionals all working 9 - 5. I mean... granted, my room was under the living room. And I had to get up at 6 to get in to work on time and they didn't go to bed til 2am.... BUT it was worth it to get out of my parents' house. 

Getting_greyer

I haven't read the details but in the budget there was incentives for firms to take on apprentices of all ages.  Not suitable for everyone but if you've hit a methophorical brick wall in life I can recommend a career in the forces.  You'd probably double your current income in 5 years (in current prices) get paid to complete education and apprenticeships.  Travel the world, v.cheap living costs, help with buying a property, v.good pension.  

Jack_bauer24

I moved into my 1 bed flat (Housing Association) in January 2012 and I was only on the waiting list for a few months, and I had no health conditions, I was and still a single male I am (34) now. But it depends where you live? I live in Burnley, Lancashire, North West England! I would never give my HA flat up for private, no chance. I have security in my flat and I am happy it's mine for as long as I like as I like my flat!  

AdrianC

Looper86 said:

I still think your comments have an abrupt bluntness to them

If you want a hug, ask your mum... <grin>, for the avoidance of doubt.

As far as getting back into education what routes would be available to me, and beyond that a lot of minimum-wage job requirements stipulate English/Maths GCSE’s, so it this going to be a fruitful endeavour or will the educational investment only position me in a similar place to where I am currently?

How can it possibly be anything but an advantage? You have something like a third of a century in the world of work ahead of you. I presume you do not want to spend all that time on the lowest possible tier?

Obviously, we have no idea of what your current job is. But would promotion be available to you with qualifications?
And if your job ended... then what? You've already said that even many MW jobs are not open to you because of your lack of qualifications...

I suspect, though, that you'll get far better answers on those wider questions over here -> https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/categories/employment-jobseeking-training

[Deleted User]

Definitely agree with the suggestions of house sharing or lodging. I have a friend who rents a room for around £80/£90 per week. It might not be perfect but it will get you out of your parents house and some independence. 

Without prying, what is it exactly that you do for a job? Qualifications or not any decent company will offer their staff development and training opportunities which will then naturally lead to career progression. If you have got to 30 without being offered any sort of development or progression, then you are working for the wrong company. 

Sometimes if you want to move up, you've got to get out! 

Tammykitty

Bonniepurple said:

I would LOVE to know what the OP’s parents are thinking.  I suspect it’s something along the lines of “why did we make it too comfortable for him here?”.  OP, okay, it’s not a great time to be job hunting- but you’ve got a job.  Could you do something extra in the evenings/weekends to bring in more money?  It sounds like you have got jealous of people moving on around you but don’t actually want to grow up and have responsibilities and so you think that “someone else” should provide- be it your parents (as now) or the Government (social housing, Universal Credit etc).

You are adequately housed.  Priority is rightly given to those who are not.  That could be overcrowding, or unsuitable property (think someone who becomes physically disabled and lives in a top floor flat with no lift) or those who have been made homeless through no fault of their own.  Social housing, as with other forms of government support, are for those who need it, not those who want it.

Not all parents want their children to leave home, especially if they are getting older, i moved home for a few years when i wanted to move back to my home area and was looking somewhere to buy and my parents were delighted to have me at home, and didn't want me to move out again!
If your child is well rounded, has a sense of financial responsibility etc, then the OP's parents may be perfectly happy for him to live with them 

In my circles its perfectly reasonable for someone unmarried/co-habiting to still live with their parents no matter what age they are.

The need for everyone to move out of home only contributes to the housing shortage

Looper86

Bonniepurple said:

I would LOVE to know what the OP’s parents are thinking.  I suspect it’s something along the lines of “why did we make it too comfortable for him here?”.  OP, okay, it’s not a great time to be job hunting- but you’ve got a job.  Could you do something extra in the evenings/weekends to bring in more money?  It sounds like you have got jealous of people moving on around you but don’t actually want to grow up and have responsibilities and so you think that “someone else” should provide- be it your parents (as now) or the Government (social housing, Universal Credit etc).

You are adequately housed.  Priority is rightly given to those who are not.  That could be overcrowding, or unsuitable property (think someone who becomes physically disabled and lives in a top floor flat with no lift) or those who have been made homeless through no fault of their own.  Social housing, as with other forms of government support, are for those who need it, not those who want it.

Unfortunately we lost my brother when he was only aged 6 so I guess since then my Mum has always mothered me more than usual.

I lived with my ex-girlfriend for 3 years (28-31) but after the breakdown of the relationship and neither of us having income to continue our rental agreement we gave the property up and both ended up back at parents (the last place anyone wants to be).

It seems like there are a lot of aspersions and assumptions made here on this board, almost to a downright wild level too, no I’m not “jealous” of people moving on around me, I just want to do the same, like most people.

I haven’t come here with an overwhelming level of entitlement so I’m a little unsure why I have been greeted in such a way, definitely a strange way to build a community that on the surface looks like it’s her to offer support, advice and guidance (I’ve never once said I “deserve” a property over someone who is disable so I’m at a loss as to why this has continuously been presented to me...??).

trex227

Jack_bauer24 said:

I moved into my 1 bed flat (Housing Association) in January 2012 and I was only on the waiting list for a few months, and I had no health conditions, I was and still a single male I am (34) now. But it depends where you live? I live in Burnley, Lancashire, North West England! I would never give my HA flat up for private, no chance. I have security in my flat and I am happy it's mine for as long as I like as I like my flat!  

I agree with Jack- its really location specific. I know someone who although a bit older got a HA flat even though he had the financial means to privately rent. The flat is in the "bad" part of town, an area of really ugly 80s built 1 & 2 bed flats. I get the impression when they come available theres not really much/any competition for them. The area is perfectly safe though so hes happy to have a secure tenancy. I guess maybe its just chance this area has more than enough supply of HA housing for singles/couples/those with only 1 child. I don't think its the case for those looking for HA 3+ bed homes.