What happens when all the 'council' houses have run out?

wymondham

movilogo wrote: »

Just an instance (tip of iceberg really)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=483225&in_page_id=1770

If other EU countries milk the system in Britain, why not put homeless people in council houses in other EU countries??

Without going off on a tangent with the threat and opening up a hornets nest, i think if we allow people into this country then we are obliged to support and look after them - the bigger picture here is allowing people into this country, but that's another thread!

impy78

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

But if the private house is then let to someone on the Council housing list, with the Council paying the rent ..... then it doesn't matter

So long as those that need Council assistance are housed, does it matter whether their landlord is the Council, or a private individual?

in that case no...what I object to is people buying them and then livng in them the,selves...if they can afford to buy a house, don't buy a council one.

silvercar

In my area the council bought a small new-build block of flats and housed about 30 retired couples in it, freeing up council houses for families. This was about 10 years ago.

Our council now offers bonds to those that need housing, these bonds replace the deposits that landlords would otherwise demand.

I do know of nearby areas where the council will take a 5 year lease on a property, give a guaranteed rent to the landlord and return the property to the landlord at the end of that time in good condition.

I guess, with a shortage of property, councils are going to have to be more imaginative in dealing with housing needs.

blue_monkey_2

Hi again, interesting to read the responses, I thought that when houses were built they had to release a few to the council/HA but this doesn't seem to be the case anymore, they just stick up huge houses (4 or 5 bed) and in one local 'development' out of the 12 houses put up last year there are only 5 out of the 12 occupied. They are so expensive, £600k upwards, and they are offering all sorts of incentives in the local papers but they are still not occupied. The thing is, it is in a 'gated' developement so who is going to want 'undesireables' in there anway. Another big development that went up around 10 years ago there was one house that they said HAD to be let to the council for a certain number of years. It was a 4 bed new build, but the people they let it to trashed it and had 3 dogs who were a nuisance and as soon as he was able to developer took it back.

What makes me cross is the number of council places that people just trash and abuse (my neighbours are a fine example) because it is not 'theirs' and they have no respect for them. My neighbours place is lovely, big house, great neighbours (LOL) and fab garden but it is not looked after. She is on her own and does not work and is with children so I guess she gets it paid for but it makes me sad/angry when I think tht some people do not realise how lucky they are to have a roof and not have to worry because they are in council housing.

I am not sure what the answer is. My nan lives in North London and a few years ago the tower blocks were torn down and everyone was given a house to live in on a new build estate. Now they are building new 'apartments' because the houses have run out.

In the village they built these 3 bed apartments and I found one to rent the other day while I was looking for rentals - it is £2,500 a MONTH!! For a flat. But then if the council run out of properties to let to people in need, would they then start renting places like these for people as in the whole area there seems to be a shortage around here.

blue_monkey_2

silvercar wrote: »

In my area the council bought a small new-build block of flats and housed about 30 retired couples in it, freeing up council houses for families. This was about 10 years ago.

Silvercar, I mentioned this a few weeks back, because council housing is never 'yours' and I do think that when your dependants have left home you should be 'rotated' into a smaller place (such as you have mentioned) freeing up housing for families. I think it would also give people more of an incentive to get their own places, likewise if someone came into money they should assessed every 5 years or so - but maybe this would cost money too, I don't know.

I know of people who have had their parents die, leave them a property and still continue to live in the council place and sell the property so they don't have to worry about working, etc... There is no incentive for anyone to move or better themselves once in council places. Sure this option is not for everybody and all circumstances are different but people should move when they no longer need the space. Yes, kind of like a rotational basis for those who need it.

People might not be able to afford a 3 bed for their family as one parent wants to stay at home with the kids but they might be able to afford a smaller 1 or 2 bed place once their kids have left home and both can go back to work or a 3 bed when thier kids are contributing to the household income. There is no incentive for people to do this now and maybe this is what needs to change rather than more houses being built.

Dinah93

The council don't build estates like they used to, mainly for the reason that in most areas the council no longer manage 'council' housing. Housing was signed over to a housing association to manage several years ago in most areas. The majority of new stock comes from housing association stock that is part of new developments. Planning policy at the moment tends to state that on developments over a certain level (typically between 8-15) a certain percentage must be afordable housing/housing association. In my council that is 10% for all developments of 10 dwellings or more, you'd be amazed how many 9 unit developments that are submitted!

In addition housing clearance is still very common, even as we hear the papers whitter on about a housing shortage. This is seen as a way to 'revitalise' undesirable areas. I'm sure it's different for areas in the south, but around here 3 bed semi's, that sell for 130k if they happen to have been bought out under the right to buy scheme, are being borded up and then cleared on mass via compulsary purchase. It's really eary driving around these areas of loads of streets, street lights, front footpaths, and then no houses in the middle of it all. Last year our net gain in property in the borough was 2 (units built - unit demolished = net gain). Not much help in tackling a housing shortage!

SquatNow

I answered this question a while back:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=608253

Everyone though I was nuts though.

The OFFICIAL GOVERNMENT PLAN for dealing with large scale homelessness caused by a disaster (flood etc) is to house people in community centers and school gymnasiums, and if there isn't enough capacity there to utilise disused army bases and airfields, which tend to have large empty accomodation blocks/barracks and hangers, along with all the sanitation facilities needed and good transportation/infrastructure links.

SquatNow

Also please note: Housing Benefit rules have changed IIRC... you no longer get the entire rent paid automatically, you get an allowance.

If you rent is higher than the Housing Benefit, you have to make up the difference. The idea is to stop private landlords who rent to HB tennants ramping up the rents and/or offernig kickbacks.

The actual result is that a lot of people who have been on HB for a long time are about to get a massive shock next time they are re-assessed.

Fergie73

The actual result is that a lot of people who have been on HB for a long time are about to get a massive shock next time they are re-assessed.

As someone who's always worked but really stuggling to afford private rentals, I reckon this is a good thing. Why should someone on HB be able to live somewhere better than a working person? Council houses are much nicer than the lower end of the private renatal market, and even the lower end of the private market is very expensive in some places.

I'm living/working in Edinburgh right now, and all my colleages seem to travel in from other parts of Scotland. It appears many, many working people are priced out of the private rental market, but have no hope of council housing as they're working. If you want to live in Edinburgh, you're better off on HB and not working, which is just mental :mad:

SquatNow

HB in many areas could be in excess of £12,000 per year... that's on top of no council tax, dole money, child benefit, free healthcare.

I earn a good wages, but if I had wanted kids, pre the changes I would have had to go on the dole to afford it!