Braintree district: Shake up in housing policy could see siblings share until 10

6:00pm Wednesday 26th September 2012 in News

Braintree district: Shake up in housing policy could see siblings share until 10 Braintree district: Shake up in housing policy could see siblings share until 10

Brothers and sisters will be forced to share a bedroom until the age of ten in a shake up of the district’s social housing allocations policy.

It is to bring Braintree Council ’s policy in line with new national rules for housing benefit, which come into force from April.

Currently, siblings share a room until they are five and those with an age gap of more than eight years are eligible for separate rooms.

Lady Patricia Newton, cabinet member for housing, said: “New housing benefit rules say that two children of the opposite sex should share rooms to the age of ten.

“Currently the policy allows allocation of extra rooms at the age of five. We have done this historically because we felt it allows families to plan for their needs.”

Other changes will also see housing priority given to foster carers and those who have served in the Armed Forces.

And tenants in overcrowded private accommodation will be given the same priority as social housing tenants.

See this week's Times for the full story. 

Comments (6)

8:07am Thu 27 Sep 12

Bhudeeka says...

this is nothing new this was always the case until very recently people are just spoilt now no doubt they will think they are hard done by with this ruling
this is nothing new this was always the case until very recently people are just spoilt now no doubt they will think they are hard done by with this ruling Bhudeeka

9:14am Thu 27 Sep 12

The Yellow Peril says...

There is nothing wrong with kids sharing bedrooms. Good grief, that was the norm in many households when I was growing up. Indeed, people in housing paid for by the state should be grateful for what they get.
There is nothing wrong with kids sharing bedrooms. Good grief, that was the norm in many households when I was growing up. Indeed, people in housing paid for by the state should be grateful for what they get. The Yellow Peril

6:35pm Thu 27 Sep 12

montygirl says...

in my parents/grandparents generation they shared beds never mind rooms and were grateful to have a roof over their heads !
in my parents/grandparents generation they shared beds never mind rooms and were grateful to have a roof over their heads ! montygirl

12:30pm Fri 28 Sep 12

keith_l says...

Of course, this only applies to people in rcouncil funded rented accomodation. The majority of us, who pay for our own housing, and pay the Council Tax which funds Housing Benefit, have to accomodate our families in whatever facilities we have available. We had three boys so it wasn't a problem, but a few years ago I helpd a friend, who was a single mother who owned her own home, build a partition to separate her children's bedrooms.
Of course, this only applies to people in rcouncil funded rented accomodation. The majority of us, who pay for our own housing, and pay the Council Tax which funds Housing Benefit, have to accomodate our families in whatever facilities we have available. We had three boys so it wasn't a problem, but a few years ago I helpd a friend, who was a single mother who owned her own home, build a partition to separate her children's bedrooms. keith_l

7:38pm Sat 29 Sep 12

Bit_Bytr says...

Bit galling to read that. I agree with all the posters. (Yes, even Bhudeeka!) Simply more grist for the entitlement-attitude mill that we encourage.
Bit galling to read that. I agree with all the posters. (Yes, even Bhudeeka!) Simply more grist for the entitlement-attitude mill that we encourage. Bit_Bytr

9:54am Sun 30 Sep 12

dread59 says...

greenfields need to address the issue that lets single people over the age of 50 living in a 3 bedroom house all by themselves, rent being paid for by benefits, surely they should be rehoused and the property let to young families.
greenfields need to address the issue that lets single people over the age of 50 living in a 3 bedroom house all by themselves, rent being paid for by benefits, surely they should be rehoused and the property let to young families. dread59

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