Does the rental system work.

[newstart2380]

Thousands of people living on welfare in subsidised public housing are falling behind in rent.

Now, governments are grabbing a slice of their welfare payments to make them pay up and some aren't too happy.

[lind9650]

I don't live in Government housing, but I do receive the Age Pension.

My rent is paid by direct debit every fortnight. I prefer it that way and don't have to go out to pay my rent when the weather is bad, or worry about it when I go on holidays.

Rent is just as important as our daily bread. I like to keep a roof over my head.

Erica

[k0llectable5]

Everyone I know that lives in public housing has their rent taken out automatically.... They recieve their payment with their rent already deducted out.

So I'm wondering where all these thousands of people are that are falling behind. 

[boris1gary]

maybe they live in the telegraph or in 2GB.

[k0llectable5]

Maybe Boris 😉 

People who think that those living in government housing are some how on an easy wicket should really think again.  Most are there because they have been totally priced out of the current rental market. And I'm sure there are exceptions for those living in newly built housing, but as a rule the houses are bare bone.  No air con, no outside window coverings, no BIRs, usually very small bedrooms make it impossible for children to share a room, no front fence, very minimal garden/trees, and when taking into account they lose all rent assistance living in public housing, makes them financially worse off than if they were paying rent to an agent or landlord.  

[punch*drunk]

I dont think thats correct re public housing and rent assistance. my sister receives rent assistance and although she isnt in public housing yet, its community housing and her rent is set at the same rate as public housing.

I agre re the other points. Although the house she lives in is not that old, its poky and only 3 bedrooms for a family of 6 (1 adult, 5 kids) its badly designed and there is a huge window facing west and the house heats up terribly in the recent hot weather we've had. The backyard is about the size of a double garage, and predominantly dirt, the lawn mowing man has been poisoning the grass in the backyard because its hard for him to get in there with his mower 😕

Our latest drama is that her son is autistic and prone to getting out of the house and running off but the agency refuse to allow her deadlocks or any other kind of locking device to keep him in either on the front door or the gate to the backyard. Apparently its a safety issue in case of fire, they dont seem to worry about the safety issue of a 6 year old running off and ending up on the freeway behind her house. By the sounds of that wont change when she gets public housing.

Having said all that, she is just eternally grateful to have a roof over her childrens heads and as uncomfortable as the place is, its a darn sight better than their housing and circumstances previously.

I just wish there was more public housing available for people in need or that the government would heavily subsidise private rentals for eligible families. For her its just hard being stuck in limbo knowing she'll be moved on but not knowing where to.

[lloydslights]

I recall back in the late 70's of people living in Housing Commission homes, with a speedboat, a caravan and high end V8 cars parked on the front lawns.  

Initially, the couples were eligible for these houses and the rent was "fixed".  Then times got better for them (better paying job, wife got a job, their children had jobs) and they had excess cash to spend.  They weren't "needy" anymore.  But still paid the "fixed" rent What a rort!

Thankfully, later in time,  the household income was assessed by a govt dept and the rent became a % of the household income. And now, the number of bedrooms/occupants ratio is being applied to try and get the long termers without children to take up a smaller house.

DEB

[boris1gary]

very few "house's" in my area, lot's and lot's of older people stuck in bedsits though, being forced to struggle up and down flights of stairs in Housing Commission area's that I have been told by the local police is where a lot of newly released prisoner's are housed.

Rather than introducing the "bedroom tax", penalising those who for various reasons have been "lucky" enough to get a little 2 bedroom flat, we need more Public housing, not simply a shuffle around.

[catsnknots]

I want the type of rental agreements they have in Europe. I want a 10 year lease, I would even consider a 20 year lease if the property was perfect. 

After that I would go bush and buy land and put in a relocatable Queenslander and retire 

[newstart2380]

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@catsnknots wrote:

I want the type of rental agreements they have in Europe. I want a 10 year lease, I would even consider a 20 year lease if the property was perfect. 

After that I would go bush and buy land and put in a relocatable Queenslander and retire 

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Sounds very romantic catmad but don't forget the stamp duty on the purchase of the land, conveyancing fees, land taxes, plumbing, electrical and the cost of placing the relocatable house on your block (if you have council approval to do so)

All starting to add up ?

Thats just a few things I can think of off the top of my head, I am sure there are more.

[newstart2380]

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@newstart2380 wrote:

Thousands of people living on welfare in subsidised public housing are falling behind in rent.

Now, governments are grabbing a slice of their welfare payments to make them pay up and some aren't too happy.

---

So glad to hear that most people seem to agree with me, it is a great idea particularly for those who are unable to manage money and a budget. The story spoke of one who receives the welfare and the first thing they do is go to the pub, gamble and buy cigarettes and there is little left for food so the rent does not get paid, power bills don't get paid and family does not eat well. Some welfare recipients seem to believe it is their money ( which it is ) but is provided by the tax payer.

Some seem to think it is the government which pays them and have no idea where the money comes from if they care at all, they think they shoulod spend the money any way they wish and rent is something that is not a priority until they get an eviction notice for unpaid rent and wonder why.

It is sad to see there are people out there who have little or no idea how to budget, save or care properly for their family.