unfair local council

[goldheart]

Has anyone ever been awarded a flat/house by the council if they have been working full time since leaving school? I have quite a few 'points' as they call it but not enough to be entitled to council property. I have been told by someone from the housing department that it would be quite unlikely that I would ever have a property from them, but was unofficially told that if I wasnt working and maybe had some mental problems then my case would be much higher on their list. It seems that I have to be either a single teenage mother with child, at risk by being abused by violent partner, claim to be an asylum seeker/immigrant in more urgent need of housing, or have a mental illness to be housed. Never mind that I have worked since leaving school 20 years ago and have NEVER claimed a penny from the government. I work full time but will never be able to afford to buy a property on my wages, not even on these schemes they have, its is still too much money each month!



Its terrible that someone pays taxes for so long and are willing to pay rent TO the council for a change instead of taking it FROM them.



It makes me v. angry to see children I have seen grow up turn around and get pregnant and be housed in lovely new houses and flats on these new estates and I know for certain they get pregnant to get these places. Surely if the government made it harder to be re-homed and made everyone stay in halfway houses and bedsits for a period longer than 6 months then surely it would make people think twice.



So, has anyone else been in that position and have managed to persuade the council that they too have a right for council property even if they dont think so?

[Greedyfly]

I totally agree - I too have no children and work etc... and I couldn't get any help with housing either.

[cheyenne]

I read this with dismay,but why am i not surprised.Have you tried getting in touch with your MP.write to your local newspaper etc:If all else fails,Borrow one of those muck spreaders from your local friendly Farmer and spray it all over the council offices.Your get publicity then!!

[Oneeyedvic]

Am not sure I fully understand - is it because they will eventually be able to buy the property that you are upset - if so, not to worry, I beleive Scotland have stopped right to buys and England won't be far away.

[goldheart]

Oneyedvic - a bit of both actually. I am not entitled to live in council property because I work full time and "theoretically" they deem me fit to buy my own property... which I couldnt even contemplate. My wages (even if I had a part time job as well) would not get me a mortgage, let alone the repayments each month.
So I was really moaning that the council only house those in certain situations. (I split from an ex a few years ago and at the time I was living in his council owned flat, so I was the one that had to move out because my name wasnt on the book - so I had to pay rent to a private landlord. Before this though, I was really stuck as to where to go as the split wasnt foreseen - so I rang the council really upset asking for help and the best they could do for me was give me a list of B&Bs in the area (which I would have to pay for) or hostels.... I had friends to go to but I was disgusted that they council wouldnt help someone like me - basically who pays their own way and doesnt claim benefits, has mental health issues or is illegally in this country!!

So I was just asking the question if anyone has ever been homed by the council who is a normal working citizen who puts money into the government instead of taking it out??

[ignoramus]

Council properties are allocated to those who cannot afford to buy properties of their own.

I do sympathise with your situation, and wonder if you have tried all the various housing associations in your locality?

I do however disagree with your rather condescending views that women deliberately get pregnant to get a council house. It makes you sound very bigoted and intolerant as well as ignorant and hateful. You are in a position to support yourself, you are lucky that you are not an immigrant fleeing their country in need of support. You are fortunate that you don't suffer from mental health problems.
I'm not saying the system is right, I am saying don't blame those less fortunate than you and harbour such hatred and resentment for the help that they undoubtedly deserve.

Believe me , you'd hate to live in council accommodation. It would be full of single mothers, immigrants and nutters.
Your middle class intolerant attitude would stick out like a sore thumb and you'd probably get your windows smashed on a weekly basis.

Depending on the area you live, the council's priority is now to house homeless people, having been one myself, I know this. I had to tolerate bed and breakfast for months to get housed. Getting pregnant these days does not get you a council house.
Plenty of housing associations PREFER people who are working , what about trying for half rent half buy schemes??

Instead of feeling sorry for yourself and moaning about others less privileged than you, do something about it.

[Ammy]

I agree ignoramus, what goldheart doesnt seem to understand is that these people are in very unforunate situations. This is what council houses are for. The council really can't afford to house everyone can they?

Alot of people are in your situation, ie unable to afford to buy a house at the moment because of crazy prices, myself included. But since I like you, am working, and getting paid a decent salary, why does the council need to subsidise me? I understand what you mean- caught in the middle etc, but really speaking we would be on the bottom of a priority list.

I for one would fine terrible knowing that I was given a council house, whilst a woman fleeing from domestic abuse had nowhere to go. Do you see my point? We have to put ourselves relative to others. I can sometimes feel that I don't have enough money and that life's crap, but really, there are so many people who have it worse, with no one and nowhere to turn to.

Anyway good luck with your housing issues!

[goldheart]

Ignoramus and Ammy!
Thank you for your responses, however, I will let you know that I have too been through the b&b system, for 8 months actually with a boyfriend who was made homeless - he was the one being housed and I was with him and have seen for myself - yeah a few single mothers and a couple of families, in fact we all got on really well that we still keep in touch now... it was a horrible place but it was a means to an end. I also work voluntarily at the local drop-in centre and even though its only one weekend a month I deliver meals on wheels for the elderly in my local area. My mother had mental health issues most her life. A friend of mine is also a single mother - as are some of my nieces - so I AM speaking from experience! I may come across as being bigoted, condescening and intolerant of other people's situations but I dont really care how I come across. I agree that you cant tar people with the same brush but we all know how the system works dont we? Its awful for women (and men) and children when in an abusive household, they need help, Im not disputing that.
I cannot afford housing, even shared ownership schemes, and Im simply stating that I think I should also be entitled to help from the council, at the end of the day I pay my way. I may be fortunate... working, roof over my head and food on the table, good health, friends and family etc... but dont have a go at me about it.
Ammy, would you really feel terrible if the council gave you a brand new 3 bedroom house - if it was taken from a women fleeing domestic violence? I doubt it!
Its very easy to write that you would, isnt it?

[goldheart]

And finally, call me middle class... Im from a working class family and brought up working class, but I am what I am now, I work bloody hard, I know what Ive seen and been through, Im fortunate for many things - I want a cheap house from the council and I reckon I should eventually be entitled to qualify instead of being pushed further down the list. Just one more thing on the immigrant issue, yeah I feel for the people (the real people who need help) this country is taking on serious, serious amounts of immigrants - things are changing.
Thanks for your attention and I cant wait for your responses!!
p.s. pregnant girls DO get housed by the way - I reckon you sit at home in your nice 4 bed semi and it makes you all feel good when you stick up for abused women and single mothers... but dont do a thing about it to help!
THAT SHOULD GET YOU GOING!!