In the absence of the writer submitting alternative numbers from his preferred housing/salary strategy, I don't see a problem with social housing in London if as costly as it is it offers upto 50% return. The glaring issue I see is people not working occupying prime locations. Private ownership would probably not be a saviour as I imagine property businesses snapping them to extort residents and even worse, wealth from abroad buying leaving them empty as investments.
Again, it seems to me the benefit issue we face is the disincentive to work. The system needs to aid those to gain a roof over their head in a prohibitive area whilst also rewarding rather than punishing work.
A council house tenancy can be inherited by a spouse and then a next of kin - you could be waiting 70 years for the home to be allocated on need! Not surprisingly, 10% of social rent households are in the top income quintile.
In the absence of the writer submitting alternative numbers from his preferred housing/salary strategy, I don't see a problem with social housing in London if as costly as it is it offers upto 50% return. The glaring issue I see is people not working occupying prime locations. Private ownership would probably not be a saviour as I imagine property businesses snapping them to extort residents and even worse, wealth from abroad buying leaving them empty as investments.
Again, it seems to me the benefit issue we face is the disincentive to work. The system needs to aid those to gain a roof over their head in a prohibitive area whilst also rewarding rather than punishing work.
Seems like an argument for Universal basic income to me.
A council house tenancy can be inherited by a spouse and then a next of kin - you could be waiting 70 years for the home to be allocated on need! Not surprisingly, 10% of social rent households are in the top income quintile.