My social housing is so big that I’m going to turn it into a four-room apartment, but I don’t understand the hate
A mother living in social housing says she doesn’t understand why she receives so much hate about her home.
Melissa currently lives in a two-bedroom social housing unit, which is currently being converted into a four-bedroom property, and pays £560 a month in rent.
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In a slideshow of photos on TikTok, She explained that she moved into the property in 2017, after waiting just four months, and has been working “really hard” to make it a home ever since.
But since making it her home, she’s been confronted with “so much negativity” and has no idea “why.”
“I am so happy with my home and it is so affordable compared to private rentals and mortgages,” she continued.
Melissa told Fabulous Online: “I’m being trolled by people who don’t understand that I pay rent and bills just like everyone else.
“For some reason they think I got a house for free!
“It’s simply affordable compared to private rent or a mortgage.”
Another advantage of a town hall is the “huge bedrooms”, which the photos don’t quite do justice.
There is also a “large backyard,” which Melissa has painstakingly converted into a cattery for her cats and a safe space for her daughter with special educational needs.
What she also likes about the house is that she can decorate it completely according to her own wishes.
“I transformed this kitchen from brown to black and gold in one night myself,” she wrote.
The location is also unparalleled: local sheep regularly visit, the area is “beautiful” and “the neighbours are a dream”.
“Social housing, why are so many people angry about it?” Melissa wrote as she shared the snaps on TikTok.
People responded to Melissa’s question in the comments. One wrote: “There is negativity because people are jealous that they waited and didn’t get social housing.”
“They get a negative stigma because everyone thinks they are ‘free,’” said another.
“They think they are for everyone on benefits, but they don’t realize that there are also many people living in social housing.”
“I grew up in a social housing unit in a social housing district and we had a great childhood,” said a third.
How can I get social housing?
To apply for social housing, you must complete an application form and submit it to your municipality.
To find your municipality, you can simply use the municipality finder on the government website.
Once you have access to your municipality’s website, you will find guidelines there for completing your application.
After you register, you will likely be placed on a waiting list.
Please note that even if you are placed on the waiting list, this does not guarantee an offer of social housing.
Your local authority can also advise you on how to continue living in your current home and resolve any issues, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage.
You are eligible for application for social housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK, provided you have not recently lived abroad.
Each municipality has its own local rules about who is eligible to be placed on the housing list for its area, but these rules are based on a system of ‘points’ or ‘bands’.
For example, you will probably be the first to be offered a home if you:
- are homeless
- living in cramped conditions
- have a medical condition that is aggravated by your current home
- trying to escape domestic violence
Once you are high enough on the municipality’s waiting list, you will be contacted as soon as a home becomes available.
In some municipalities you can submit an application from the age of 18, in other municipalities you can submit an application from the age of 16.
EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible.
You will be allocated social housing through a points system. Depending on your housing needs, you may be given low priority.
Once you are high enough on the waiting list, the municipality will contact you about available housing.
There is no limit to how long you will be on the waiting list.
“My parents worked and did not receive any benefits.
“A home is a home, no matter what!”
“Someone said it was all for nothing. I still pay bills like everyone else, but the rent is more affordable now,” Melissa said.
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