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Email your MP - Social Housing for Ex Servicemen

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I would like to point out that

a) We drive a Y Reg Vectra and a P Reg Escort.. Hardly 'New Cars'

b) Our tv is over 10 years old and DEFINATELY NOT Plasma!

c) Get off your high horses.... Not everyone is as fabulously foresighted as you two obviously are (low manlies and Firestorm.)

As Hitback has explained several times over this thread, no-one wants preferential treatment for the forces. Just the same rights as everyone else. I fail to see why me and mine should be punitively graded for social housing just because my husband chose to get a decent job away from his home area and has stuck at it through bad times and even worse ones!

I have already explained (not that it is anyones business but ours but I feel I am being accused of being a pikey... and yes, that is a raw nerve!!lol) we have made plans and they include disappearing from this hemisphere. If we were not, all the planning in the world would not lead to us being able to afford a decent home for our children, we would be looking to move into a Housing Association house whilst we found a sympathetic mortgage advisor or rental scheme or way to get on the slippery slope. The only way we could get on the ladder at the moment would be to over-extend ourselves which I am not prepared to do.
 
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It's all very well being all proud of your self because you bought a house when you did, what you seem to be conveniently forgetting is that cheap accomadation is a part of our X factor. As such when you choose to buy your own house and live out (as I have done in the past) you are taking a pay cut. Why shouldn't people want to take everything they are entitled to and that they have earned. As has already been said a JNCO getting out after 22 years use to be able to buy quite comfortably in most areas. It is only recently this has changed and that is what has screwed so many folks over.
 
Not sure about Firestorm but I consider myself as perfect as is humanly possible. As I too have explained in my previous post everybody is entitled to their opinion unforeseen/medical reasoning asides - I DO NOT THINK THAT BY JUST BEING AN EX SERVICEMAN THAT THIS MERITS HAVING EQUAL SOCIAL HOUSING RIGHTS ON LEAVING THE SERVICE AS THE CIVILIAN POPULOUS! I can write in capitals as well. I shall NOT be signing the petition for reasons stated.
 
low manlies said:
Not sure about Firestorm but I consider myself as perfect as is humanly possible. As I too have explained in my previous post everybody is entitled to their opinion unforeseen/medical reasoning asides - I DO NOT THINK THAT BY JUST BEING AN EX SERVICEMAN THAT THIS MERITS HAVING EQUAL SOCIAL HOUSING RIGHTS ON LEAVING THE SERVICE AS THE CIVILIAN POPULOUS! I can write in capitals as well. I shall NOT be signing the petition for reasons stated.
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Bless you my lovely... what a nice contribution to a reasoned debate! Explain to me why service people should be disadvantaged then.

Make it in easy words as I am obviously not as 'perfect' as you.

P.S. Most of my post is in larger font NOT (sic) capitals!
 
It takes time to be perfect!

It takes time to be perfect!

scaleywife said:
Bless you my lovely... what a nice contribution to a reasoned debate! Explain to me why service people should be disadvantaged then.

Make it in easy words as I am obviously not as 'perfect' as you.

P.S. Most of my post is in larger font NOT (sic) capitals!
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Please refer to post #157 all the information you seek is there.
 
No.. Post #157 explains why you are not upset that Service folk are disadvantaged.. but not why you think they actively should be...

Pedantic I know, but I am genuinely interested. Also are there any other things you think service bods should actively not be entitled to on release from service?

(Hitman, sorry for highjacking your thread for a little while but I think I need to see what reasonable arguements could possibly be levied against your proposal)
 
This is a good reason to be scared of buying property now. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=444962&in_page_id=1770

low manlies, firestorm. The point of getting the legislation changed is to be on equal footing with civilian counter parts. The day all SFA was sold to Annington Homes Plc, the tenents were not permitted to buy direct from the MoD was disgraceful, even the Tory Party admit that much.

The fact you believe military personnel and ther families shouldn't be given the same rights as others in this country proves your an Arse. I was at Headley Court yesterday for my last appointment. Whilst there I went around the ward to see a fellow Rifleman, he got Fragged in Basra. The wards are packed with severally injuried comrades and it made me feel sick and angry to see such youth crippled. I don't know why I'm telling you, you have the DING DING attitude, the kind of person that wouldn't spare their pi** for a fellow comrade. I hope, and I don't say this often, you end up on your knees needing help from others in the future.

My understanding is, those that have served in the forces are comrades for life. I'm glad you and Firestorm are the minority in this discussion.
 
You too are entitled to your opinion. Opinion this –
Fact 1: A serviceman who leaves after 22 years dependant on rank leaves with a gratuity of thousands and an immediately payable pension at 40 years of age.
A civilian who leaves employment after 22 years irrespective of status gets squit.
Surely this is a distinct advantage when it comes to paying for housing?
Fact 2: Whilst in the Service accommodation has been provided at a significantly reduced rent than his civilian counterpart.
Surely this is a distinct advantage when it comes to saving for housing needs?
This debate could go on and on! My belief is that having entered the Service without a penny to scratch my ar5e everybody has the same opportunity to prepare for their exit date be it at the 22 or 30-year point. God knows you have enough advance notice. With vision, saving, sacrificing luxuries there are golden opportunities to set yourself right. As Firestorm rightly pointed out as long as there is enough demand for rented accommodation let some other mug line your pockets and feather your nest for the future. Being totally unaware of personal circumstances I shall err on the side of caution. However if you feel that you missed the boat whilst in the Service tough! Stop your bleating!
Should I ever find myself in difficulty I could sell off one or more of my numerous investments.
I have wasted enough time on this thread!
 
Thank god for that. Once again we see the blinkered attitude of a narrow minded person thats on the BUS, DING DING. Maybe I hit a raw nerve when I spoke about comradeship!

Points For You;
1. How would a soldier with a mortgage clear it if severally wounded. Insurances don't cover war situation. In fact Pax won't pay those wounded on the wards in Headley Court.
2. Why would anyone try to get on the property ladder with the current prices.
3. Lump sum, good one, thats the garage got.
4. If the earnings are so good, why do so many service families have to claim Child Tax Credit?
5. SFA rent is to come in line with civilian social housing rent in the near future.


In conclusion. If you have a house well done, if you don't then you should be very worried. This Legislation is having an affect on many service leaver and Veteran's. These are people I believe shouldn't be discriminated against and if the only way to change the current statusque is to get the legislation changed. Then the legislation should be changed and greater education to service personnel on their future needs in civilian life.


Hitback
 
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Just as an addition Hitman...

Who joins up knowing that they have a 22 year contract?

The gratutity is a bonus, no disputing that, but who do you know who would go to war for a low grade Cpls pay without it?

Who, currently, on said low grade Cpls pay, with the requisite family can afford a buy to let mortgage let alone get one? Moving so many times affects your Credit Score you know.

Back in the day, in the 80's, you actually benifited in the Council (now the Housing Association) housing lists as you had evidence of being a regular rent payer. Whilst I am not advocating a return to those days I do think it is disgusting the 'Vicky Pollard' gets a higher housing score than any service person especially an injured one. Council Housing, as opposed to Housing Association is kind of Means Tested so I agree we should not get preferential treatment for that.

I too am done on this subject because I think I have made my point.

Plus Mr SW reckons I am coming across as bolshy (not his exact words!) which is not what I want at all!!
 
scaleywife your points have been very level and objective so please stay with the debate. I believe the others that have been posting on here where after an argument and trying to wind people up. This issue affects all ranks including SNCO's.

The real problem is the Social Housing Groups that were in place back in the 80's would allow time served in SFA towards your points. Since the Housing Association's came to be, that has been dropped. I find most people that state we should buy our own property have been on the ladder for about 10 years plus. I doubt they would be so quick to jump on it now!


Regards

hitback
 
Hitback said:
4. If the earnings are so good, why do so many service families have to claim Child Tax Credit?
.

Hitback
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can i just point out that anyone with a child can claim Child Tax Credit whether they are working or not and no matter what they earn.

Perchance maybe you mean working families tax credit??

I can see all sides of this argument.But i'd like to point out that two SACs i know bought a two bed for £126k.

I believe everyone should be treated equally, and yes i wish that i had started saving years ago when i first left home.But i didnt.I can see the points raised by some that you should forward plan and start saving when you join..i throughly agree with that point.But i also see where young peeps joining up have the time of their lives and dont think of the future untill they settle down.By that time sometimes they can be in debt up to the eyeballs and find it very difficult to save for when they leave.

Everyone has their own opinion on this subject and they shouldnt be rediculed for it.

I think sometimes a lot has to do with peoples attitude to money and how they regard it.
 
Objectivity!

Objectivity!

I do not wish to personally upset individuals but air my view on this open forum.
This has been quite an emotive debate going on here. Admittedly instigated by my somewhat mischievous self. Scaley Wife and Hitback have made several valid points. ‘Real Urgent Need’ is the obvious reason for due consideration when it comes to social housing for ex servicemen and I unreservedly support this principle, but it cannot be applied to every single ex serviceman or woman who have ever left or will leave the Service .
Every single person who desires social housing must each and every one of them think they have strong justifiable reasons for allocation. Personally I do not deem leaving the Service one of them!
But each and every one of those cases have to be categorised/prioritised and placed on a list. Historically service personnel have had time in SFA/barrack blocks etc. taken into account. I gather that is no longer the case. The swing of favour towards the ex serviceman or woman has obviously swung in the opposite direction to the common desire.
The fact that Service personnel receive a less priority than someone who has never served is being misconstrued as 'disadvantaged.' Someone has to be entered on whatever list either above or below another individual. Each and every application for social housing should be considered on the strength of each and every case’s merits and on a level playing field.
 
Why would anyone aspire to social accommodation? In my job now I deal with a lot of people in social housing. Would I want to put my family in it? NO!
Prepare for your future as the state is pathetically inadequate at doing it for you.
Good luck with you EDM. I hope you achieve something with it, I really do. But be mindful of the fact that social housing is usually very poor.
This Govt can't provide decent housing when you are in the forces, what makes you think they can be arsed about you when you leave?
 
Thank you for correcting me, I do mean working families tax credit. low manlies, firestorm. I agree with the points you have raised. Not all military personnel will require Social Housing, but the need for a level playing field is very important. Local Connection is a get out clause for councils and Housing Association to relinquish their duties for military personnel and their families. I have just been offered a Housing Association house in this area, it's small and requires to be decorated but it's a home. If I had not started to read up and address the legislation and the Housing Associations Allocations Policy, then I wouldn't have been offered anything at all.

On another point the EDM has broken the back of the 200 mark, and what great news for all who have been working so hard to get this legislation addressed. I'm sure our letters and emails will be causing some MPs to curse and others, to reflect on their decision not to support our armed forces and sign EDM 288.

Big thanks to all that have kept the thread going and for all the support being shown.

Regards

Hitback
 
The House of Commons is on recess for the Easter Holiday's, but we can still keep emailing our MPs asking them to support EDM 288. The petition could really do with some signatures, so please ask as many people as possible to sign. I found the best thing that worked for me and others is to send the Royal British Legion link to all those in your inbox asking them to support this issue.

I have had an awful lot of RAF personnel on Chicksands Camp asking me about the issue and saying they have signed the Petition. I'm sure this issue has got many discussing their future housing needs outside the forces. I hope the JSHAO starts to act on this very issue and puts up a good fight on behalf of all those serving.


Regards

Hitback
 
I believe the House is open tomorrow and our Political Master will be back to work! If we could get those emails ready to send and hit them on there first day back that would be great. My understanding was, they were getting an awful lot of emails on this issue which made them sit up and listen. There are Local election coming up soon, so lets get them to back us on this issue.

The DCLG has failed to meet its own deadline. I will be emailing them tomorrow asking for the information again! If they fail to reply I will go to the complaints department.


Regards

hitback
 
If it's information of the gloomier variety on the housing market and economy you require Hitback look no further than here on a daily basis...If I'm ever feeling too cheery I always glance at:

http://www.housepricecrash.co.uk/

and I'm back to maudlin before I know it!
 
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