Someone in the pub told me last night that the way the allocation of council tenancies works means that anyone with a job has little chance of securing a council home. The more I think about this I see some frightening possible futures...will council areas of Sheffield have zero work force? what effects will this have on local business and social cohesion...

two words.. "cods" and "wallop".

see the other threads in "housing"for full explanations about allocation and eligibility for full and frank answers.

Someone in the pub told me last night that the way the allocation of council tenancies works means that anyone with a job has little chance of securing a council home. The more I think about this I see some frightening possible futures...will council areas of Sheffield have zero work force? what effects will this have on local business and social cohesion...

Complete nonsense.

Why would anyone believe anything they are told "in a pub". It's like when someone says "apparently" to start a sentance - a flag that what follows is going to be nonsense.

as the sayin goes... its the beer talkin!
:loopy:

yes - I stand corrected! I admit this was a classic case of a few beers too many and the pub philosopher (or BSer) let loose...Mind you, I live on a council estate and can't actually think of anyone who lives in a council house and works! This is, of course because the majority of workers have bought their house.

yes - I stand corrected! I admit this was a classic case of a few beers too many and the pub philosopher (or BSer) let loose...Mind you, I live on a council estate and can't actually think of anyone who lives in a council house and works! This is, of course because the majority of workers have bought their house.so the rest of us that dont own our council homes fall in to which category?
council & Proud!

Your employment status means nothing when getting a council house

:DWhy Thank You:D

....... that us COUNCIL TENNENTS ........

We know that you're all gorgeous (http://home.planet.nl/~prins916/ver33.jpg) !!!

:DWhy Thank You:DThere's nowt wrong with your batteries lv ya just a Stroppy Mare Arn't ya? :hihi:

:hihi:There's nowt wrong with your batteries lv ya just a Stroppy Mare Arn't ya? :hihi:
LOL NOPE:hihi: ITS WELL JUST ERM lol i got involed in a thread about council a feww weeks ago ..... and well everyone basicaly said all council tennents are scroungers n get free gas n council tax n blahh blahhh blahhh wotever I MEAN I WISH !!!! lol

:hihi:
LOL NOPE:hihi: ITS WELL JUST ERM lol i got involed in a thread about council a feww weeks ago ..... and well everyone basicaly said all council tennents are scroungers n get free gas n council tax n blahh blahhh blahhh wotever I MEAN I WISH !!!! lolsad fact of life, painted with the same tar brush..
about as useful as a one-legged man at an arse kicking contest.:D

sad fact of life, painted with the same tar brush..
about as useful as a one-legged man at an arse kicking contest.:D
oood dear :rolleyes:lol this int a joke.... my dads got one leg ooops lol lol not laughin cus hes one leg just cus its funny how people put there foot in it ;)ha ha get it foot:hihi:

[QUOTE=sharonxxxx;2842126]oood dear :rolleyes:lol this int a joke.... my dads got one leg QUOTE]:o you pullin my leg?:P

[QUOTE=sharonxxxx;2842126]oood dear :rolleyes:lol this int a joke.... my dads got one leg QUOTE]:o you pullin my leg?:P
honest to god nope im not he has only one leg bless him but i couldnt resist that one i do have a wierd sence of humour but this one is true im afraid xx

[QUOTE=madowl;2842131]
honest to god nope im not he has only one leg bless him but i couldnt resist that one i do have a wierd sence of humour but this one is true im afraid xxooops...:gag:
bit like "Love is temporary insanity curable by marriage."

so the rest of us that dont own our council homes fall in to which category?
council & Proud!

What rest? He already said he doesn't KNOW anyone who lives in a council house and works, on his estate.

What rest? He already said he doesn't KNOW anyone who lives in a council house and works, on his estate.

So maybe he knows nobody else on his estate? I don't know anyone from Finland on my street; it doesn't mean to say there isn't a Finn there though.

That said, it's extremely clear that many people who live in council property are part of a working household.

I reckon I know over two hundred families on the estate - I've no political axe to grind...it's merely a sociological observation that none of them have a job. A lot were tenants with jobs but either moved to private accomodation or bought their property.

Of course council tenants work, just in different proportions to those in owner occupation. I can dig out the figures if necessary, but as social housing is primarily let to people with specific needs, its pretty obvious that a large percentage will be receiving benefits, or in political speak 'economically inactive'. A council tenant on benefits will normally get all their housing costs met by benefits, someone with a mortgage won't.

Being in or out of work has no effect on someone's ability to either build up waiting time or be awarded priority for housing if they meet all the criteria.

The majority of people who live on our estate work. Most of them have lived in their houses for many years though. Not everyone in a council house scrounges.

Usually, if you're working, you won't be given priority status, and I'm just wondering if that's what they meant by it. This is mainly due to, if you're employed, you will be able to afford alternative housing i.e. private rented. You can still be rehoused by the Council if you are working, and are eligible for Council housing; you just wouldn't qualify for a priority award.

One thing I would like to stress is this:

Don't listen to "someone in the pub". Contact the Council with any queries you have so you can get the facts.

I think part of the reason the Council gets a bad press is because people are uninformed and prefer to get their info from friends and family members who "know how it all works", but very rarely do. This is how rumours start which leads to panic and then anger because their mate told them it worked like this then the Council tell them different.

i've been advised i'd be considered for council housing. however the priority points system would put me at the back end of a long list.
i assume if i bid on an undesirable location, i may get lucky.

i've been advised i'd be considered for council housing. however the priority points system would put me at the back end of a long list.
i assume if i bid on an undesirable location, i may get lucky.

Some properties are advertised specifically for people on priority, some are for people with waiting time. The Sheffield Homes Property shop website or their free paper will state which. If you are waiting for a bedsit, or a one bedroomed flat, you are likely to get one of those much more quickly than a family sized house, which are in really short supply. As Leviathan says, its much better to look at how the system actually works, than listen to someone whose auntie's neighbour's son got one in a week!

Maybe worth considering housing associations too - again worth investigating.

Usually, if you're working, you won't be given priority status
So the bloke in the pub was right! ;)
Just goes to show you shouldn't believe what somebody says on an internet forum.:roll:

So the bloke in the pub was right! ;)
Just goes to show you shouldn't believe what somebody says on an internet forum.:roll:

Leviathan said usually, not always. If someone gets priority because of disability or mobility problems, it won't matter if they're working or not. Or, if the council decide to demolish their home, they'll get priority status just the same. The problems mainly arise when someone who is working becomes homeless as most temporary accommodation, ie hostels/bed&breakfasts are expensive for anyone not on benefits.

Also, in the case of someone working and living in private rented accommodation - if their tenancy ends, they should be able to find other similar rented accommodation if they need somewhere urgently. Lets not forget, most people who are working have more choice of housing, by buying, renting privately etc. People on benefits will be very limited in what is available to them.

So the bloke in the pub was right! ;)
Just goes to show you shouldn't believe what somebody says on an internet forum.:roll:

Just to echo what Ms Macbeth stated:

Priority for such as homelessness isn't just about not having a roof over your head, it's about being seen as vulnerable i.e. an 18yo girl who is pregnant and living on the streets will be seen as priority over a fit and healthy 25yo man who is employed because he should be able to find alternative housing due to being able to afford private rented housing.

I still think the bloke in the pub may be right.:|
Some people's cloak of 'vulnerability' slips off them as soon as they leave the council offices. I think that's what the man in the pub may have been saying.:rolleyes:

Leviathan said usually, not always. If someone gets priority because of disability or mobility problems, it won't matter if they're working or not. Or, if the council decide to demolish their home, they'll get priority status just the same. The problems mainly arise when someone who is working becomes homeless as most temporary accommodation, ie hostels/bed&breakfasts are expensive for anyone not on benefits.

Also, in the case of someone working and living in private rented accommodation - if their tenancy ends, they should be able to find other similar rented accommodation if they need somewhere urgently. Lets not forget, most people who are working have more choice of housing, by buying, renting privately etc. People on benefits will be very limited in what is available to them.

Not everyone who is working can afford private rented accomodation. Some private rented homes are very expensive and some working people dont earn alot of money. We were in this situation for many years and only recently have been able to buy a propertyafter years of struggling to rent.

Not everyone who is working can afford private rented accomodation. Some private rented homes are very expensive and some working people dont earn alot of money. We were in this situation for many years and only recently have been able to buy a propertyafter years of struggling to rent.

This, of course, is a load of rubbish!

Everyone who's working CAN afford private rented, it's just that the properties may be in less desirable areas and so they choose not to live there. So they'd rather slate the Council for not helping them instead of just swallowing their tiny piece of pride and taking a property where they're not fond of. I admit I was lucky to get a private rented place in the area I wanted, but if I'd been homeless and desperate, I would have taken any area. People who are in this situation need to re-evaluate their priorities:

What's more important? Getting a roof over your head or living in a "nice" area?

This, of course, is a load of rubbish!

Everyone who's working CAN afford private rented, it's just that the properties may be in less desirable areas and so they choose not to live there. So they'd rather slate the Council for not helping them instead of just swallowing their tiny piece of pride and taking a property where they're not fond of. I admit I was lucky to get a private rented place in the area I wanted, but if I'd been homeless and desperate, I would have taken any area. People who are in this situation need to re-evaluate their priorities:

What's more important? Getting a roof over your head or living in a "nice" area?

The cheapest rental family property is around the £400 per month mark. If you only earn say £850 pcm which is around 10k per year minimum wage for a 35 hour week this is over half what you earn. Add to this council tax at £90 per month at least, plus water, gas, electric, insurance you end up with about £100 per month to get to work and feed yourself and kids. It doesnt add up you cant do it. Child benefits help but dont cover everything.

The £400 per month properties are not in nice areas either.

The cheapest rental family property is around the £400 per month mark. If you only earn say £850 pcm which is around 10k per year minimum wage for a 35 hour week this is over half what you earn. Add to this council tax at £90 per month at least, plus water, gas, electric, insurance you end up with about £100 per month to get to work and feed yourself and kids. It doesnt add up you cant do it. Child benefits help but dont cover everything.

The £400 per month properties are not in nice areas either.

My brother was in a two bedroom house at Heeley that was £350 per month. There are ways around all the bills i.e. not wasting energy and finding cheaper ways to do things.

People these days are lazy and unwilling to help themselves. They expect others to do everything for them and complain when they don't get what they want. It's time people took control of their own lives.

my parents both work, and struggle to pay the rent on their private rented home. As for living in other areas, what about accessibility to work? If theres money problems then they wont be able to afford to run a car and need to live on a decent bus route in order to continue working, otherwise they will end up unemployed and will get slated again for claiming benefits.

my parents both work, and struggle to pay the rent on their private rented home. As for living in other areas, what about accessibility to work? If theres money problems then they wont be able to afford to run a car and need to live on a decent bus route in order to continue working, otherwise they will end up unemployed and will get slated again for claiming benefits.

I work in the city centre and access to and from work would be easier if I lived on Wybourn, Burngreave because these are closer to town than where I am now, which is Woodhouse. Almost anywhere in Sheffield has a decent bus route, I know not EVERYWHERE, but almost. Run a cheaper car instead of the gas-guzzling 4x4's etc. Why not just get a four-door family instead of a people carrier for your kids? We coped ok with a small family car when me and my bro were kids. Two parents, two kids = four seats. Why have a seven seater people carrier? Nowhere to put the shopping? Modern cars now come with something called a boot where you can store items during your journey.

All I'm hearing on here is excuses for the way people are living. There are ways and means for living within your budget when renting privately, but most people would rather sit and whinge than do something about it.

Same with people waiting for Council property. If they were just more realistic about what they're likely to get instead of blaming the Council for not giving them their dream home, they'd be a lot happier.

I work in the city centre and access to and from work would be easier if I lived on Wybourn, Burngreave because these are closer to town than where I am now, which is Woodhouse. Almost anywhere in Sheffield has a decent bus route, I know not EVERYWHERE, but almost. Run a cheaper car instead of the gas-guzzling 4x4's etc. Why not just get a four-door family instead of a people carrier for your kids? We coped ok with a small family car when me and my bro were kids. Two parents, two kids = four seats. Why have a seven seater people carrier? Nowhere to put the shopping? Modern cars now come with something called a boot where you can store items during your journey.

All I'm hearing on here is excuses for the way people are living. There are ways and means for living within your budget when renting privately, but most people would rather sit and whinge than do something about it.

Same with people waiting for Council property. If they were just more realistic about what they're likely to get instead of blaming the Council for not giving them their dream home, they'd be a lot happier.

As I stated, my parents dont own a car as they cant afford to run it, they walk to work, however if they were to move to a different area they would have to use the bus, which is fine, but then they need to be on a bus route which travels to their place of work. And I have a people carrier as its the only car I can find that fits a wheelchair in the boot, I would love to go back to my smaller car, however my engine size is only 1.6
There are reasons people have problems, and not just uses 'excuses'

As I stated, my parents dont own a car as they cant afford to run it, they walk to work, however if they were to move to a different area they would have to use the bus, which is fine, but then they need to be on a bus route which travels to their place of work. And I have a people carrier as its the only car I can find that fits a wheelchair in the boot, I would love to go back to my smaller car, however my engine size is only 1.6
There are reasons people have problems, and not just uses 'excuses'

I agree with you. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have loads of cash to splash around. Buses never go where you need them to and most people dont drive gas guzzling cars. Do you drive leviathan 13 because you have all the hallmarks of soemone who doesnt ie the hatred of people who do.

As I stated, my parents dont own a car as they cant afford to run it, they walk to work, however if they were to move to a different area they would have to use the bus, which is fine, but then they need to be on a bus route which travels to their place of work. And I have a people carrier as its the only car I can find that fits a wheelchair in the boot, I would love to go back to my smaller car, however my engine size is only 1.6
There are reasons people have problems, and not just uses 'excuses'

Vauxhall Astras can fit a wheelchair in the boot, no problem. I know this for a fact because my mate is in a wheelchair and drives an Astra. When I lived at Gleadless I was still at school in Woodhouse. To get there for 8:50am I had to get the bus at 7:30am. If you NEED to do something, you will.

I agree with you. Not everyone is fortunate enough to have loads of cash to splash around. Buses never go where you need them to and most people dont drive gas guzzling cars. Do you drive leviathan 13 because you have all the hallmarks of soemone who doesnt ie the hatred of people who do.

I don't drive, but that doesn't mean to say I hate people that do. My brother drives and it is very convenient, I will admit. But he owns an old, 3-door Astra that's about 13 years old. He doesn't NEED a fast car, or a huge 4x4 as, for the most part, it's just the two of us that travel in it. I constantly see these huge behemoths cruising around and think "why"? They don't need to have a car as big as they have, they buy them because they can, as a status symbol.

But that's just my thoughts.

Vauxhall Astras can fit a wheelchair in the boot, no problem. I know this for a fact because my mate is in a wheelchair and drives an Astra. When I lived at Gleadless I was still at school in Woodhouse. To get there for 8:50am I had to get the bus at 7:30am. If you NEED to do something, you will.

An astra isnt really a small car though is it and you get them with a 2.0litre petrol engine which probably kicks out more CO2 than most of the large 4x4's on the road at 13 years old.

An astra isnt really a small car though is it and you get them with a 2.0litre petrol engine which probably kicks out more CO2 than most of the large 4x4's on the road at 13 years old.

I have to say, this thread is getting a tad daft now. I will admit I probably started it, but it's gone off topic.

Back on to Council property; all I'm saying is, if people were more realistic, and more responsible for their own actions, they would get a property more quickly.

As long as you are eligible to reside in this country, you are eligible for social housing.

Vauxhall Astras can fit a wheelchair in the boot, no problem. I know this for a fact because my mate is in a wheelchair and drives an Astra. When I lived at Gleadless I was still at school in Woodhouse. To get there for 8:50am I had to get the bus at 7:30am. If you NEED to do something, you will.

and without being funny, i'm guessing as your mate can drive she has a basic folding wheelchair. my sons is a huge full body support non folding one - it wont even fit into an escort estate boot

I have to say, this thread is getting a tad daft now. I will admit I probably started it, but it's gone off topic.

Back on to Council property; all I'm saying is, if people were more realistic, and more responsible for their own actions, they would get a property more quickly.

As long as you are eligible to reside in this country, you are eligible for social housing.

How realistic do you want people to be? Bidding for every property avaliable you still cant get one. The council needs to reintroduce the points system and stop people having as much choice. If people with priority need a home they will take what they are given not what they want otherwise they find their own housing.

How realistic do you want people to be? Bidding for every property avaliable you still cant get one. The council needs to reintroduce the points system and stop people having as much choice. If people with priority need a home they will take what they are given not what they want otherwise they find their own housing.

If people with priority don't bid for suitable homes, they will be offered one. If they then refuse it for no good reason, their priority status can be removed. Example 1: someone needs a 3 bedroomed property but won't bid on maisonettes, only houses. They can be offered a maisonette anyway and have to take it. Their priority is for a 3 bedoomed property, not specifically for a house. Example 2: Ground floor accommodation is needed for someone with mobility difficulty - they only want a bungalow. In reality, they are likely to get a flat. If they turn a suitable ground floor flat down for no good reason, priority status can be removed.

The bidding system is more open, but works best when there are plenty of available properties - as there were when it was first introduced in Sheffield. There are so many people needing accommodation, and less and less becoming available, it wouldn't make a difference if the points system was introduced.

If people with priority don't bid for suitable homes, they will be offered one. If they then refuse it for no good reason, their priority status can be removed. Example 1: someone needs a 3 bedroomed property but won't bid on maisonettes, only houses. They can be offered a maisonette anyway and have to take it. Their priority is for a 3 bedoomed property, not specifically for a house. Example 2: Ground floor accommodation is needed for someone with mobility difficulty - they only want a bungalow. In reality, they are likely to get a flat. If they turn a suitable ground floor flat down for no good reason, priority status can be removed.

The bidding system is more open, but works best when there are plenty of available properties - as there were when it was first introduced in Sheffield. There are so many people needing accommodation, and less and less becoming available, it wouldn't make a difference if the points system was introduced.

Couldn't have put it any better myself, thank you my dear.

The short of it is, people WANT houses, they don't NEED houses. There are plenty of properties available if they just reduced their expectations a little.

If people with priority don't bid for suitable homes, they will be offered one. If they then refuse it for no good reason, their priority status can be removed. Example 1: someone needs a 3 bedroomed property but won't bid on maisonettes, only houses. They can be offered a maisonette anyway and have to take it. Their priority is for a 3 bedoomed property, not specifically for a house. Example 2: Ground floor accommodation is needed for someone with mobility difficulty - they only want a bungalow. In reality, they are likely to get a flat. If they turn a suitable ground floor flat down for no good reason, priority status can be removed.

The bidding system is more open, but works best when there are plenty of available properties - as there were when it was first introduced in Sheffield. There are so many people needing accommodation, and less and less becoming available, it wouldn't make a difference if the points system was introduced.

My best mate did have problems, with her mobility priority/homelessness.

She is a wheelchair user, and had been given a mobilty priority for a level access place.

she kept getting sent to view properties she had been offered, only to find that there was stepped access, etc to the properties.

As she was homeless, the staff were apparently bidding on her behalf, but they were bidding for properties that were totally not appropriate.

Thank goodness, she is now settled in a lovely property, with pretty much all her housing needs met.

My best mate did have problems, with her mobility priority/homelessness.

She is a wheelchair user, and had been given a mobilty priority for a level access place.

she kept getting sent to view properties she had been offered, only to find that there was stepped access, etc to the properties.

As she was homeless, the staff were apparently bidding on her behalf, but they were bidding for properties that were totally not appropriate.

Thank goodness, she is now settled in a lovely property, with pretty much all her housing needs met.

thats a relief, pretty much what we're going through at the moment so its a relief to find its worked out for someone in the end!
Have you seen the system Leeds has, where there are different colour logos to indicate suitability for different needs? Maybe Sheffield needs something like that?

thats a relief, pretty much what we're going through at the moment so its a relief to find its worked out for someone in the end!
Have you seen the system Leeds has, where there are different colour logos to indicate suitability for different needs? Maybe Sheffield needs something like that?

It does if you look at the "Accessible and Adapted" section in the Prop Shop paper. Each property in there is given a rating as to who it is most suitable for.

My best mate did have problems, with her mobility priority/homelessness.

She is a wheelchair user, and had been given a mobilty priority for a level access place.

she kept getting sent to view properties she had been offered, only to find that there was stepped access, etc to the properties.

As she was homeless, the staff were apparently bidding on her behalf, but they were bidding for properties that were totally not appropriate.

Thank goodness, she is now settled in a lovely property, with pretty much all her housing needs met.

Doesn't sound as if she had the right level of help, or understanding! Glad she got something that suited her in the end.

thats a relief, pretty much what we're going through at the moment so its a relief to find its worked out for someone in the end!
Have you seen the system Leeds has, where there are different colour logos to indicate suitability for different needs? Maybe Sheffield needs something like that?

my friend was homeless for over 7 months and was getting to the stage where she was close to a nervous breakdown over the time taken, as well as the sheer frustration of dealing with the incompetence of those who were bidding on her behalf, who , it seemed couldn't get their heads round the concept of "this lady is a wheelchair user, if the property is stepped, there's little use in bidding on it...! "