I grew up in a council house and everyone assumes you’re a ‘scrounger’ – but I would’ve been happy to have one for life
A WOMAN has revealed that she grew up in a council house and explained that everyone assumed she was a ‘scrounger’.
Janine, a mum from the UK, claimed that people shouldn’t judge others for their living situation - and shared that she would’ve loved to have got her own council property.
Posting on social media, Janine questioned why people judge others for living in council homes.
She said: “Why is it as soon as you mention a council house, everybody automatically thinks you’re a scrounger?
“Just because you live in a council house, doesn’t make you any less of a person that someone lives in a private or someone who bought.”
Janine then shared that she was lucky enough to buy her own home, but is proud of where she came from.
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She added: “I managed to buy my own house luckily but I grew up in a council house and I loved it.
“I loved my council house, my mum’s still got it now and it’s my family home.
Just because people live in a council house or grew up in a council house, doesn’t make them a scrounger
Janine
“Every time I walk in there I feel homely, it’s just my home.”
The savvy mum then explained: “If I could’ve got a council house when I left my mums, I would’ve been laughing and I would’ve been happy, because that’s like having your own home.
“The only difference is you can’t leave it to your kids when you die, but saying that, my property now, it doesn’t mean I’m gonna be able to leave it to my kids, God knows what’s gonna happen.
“I might be put into a [nursing] home and then their governments gonna take every penny I’ve got, just to pay for that, so the kids won’t get left with anything anyway.”
Janine then added: “I think everybody gets tarred with the same brush, there’s bad people absolutely everywhere - just because people live in a council house or grew up in a council house, doesn’t make them a scrounger.
“I think people just need to wind their necks in a bit.”
How can I get a council house?
To apply for a council home, you need to fill out and hand in an application to your local authority.
To find your local authority, simply use the Government's council locator tool on its website.
Once you have access to your local council's website, it should offer you guidelines on how to complete your application.
After applying, you'll most likely have to join a waiting list.
Bear in mind, even if you are put on a waiting list, this doesn't guarantee you a council house offer.
Your council should also offer you advice on how to stay in your current home and solve any issues you might have, such as problems with a private landlord or mortgage.
You are eligible to apply for council housing if you are a British citizen living in the UK providing have not lived abroad recently.
Each council has its own local rules about who qualifies to go on the housing register in its area, but it is based on "points" or a "banding" system.
For example, you’re likely to be offered housing first if you:
- are homeless
- live in cramped conditions
- have a medical condition made worse by your current home
- are seeking to escape domestic violence
Once you are high enough on a council's waiting list, it will contact you when a property is available.
Some councils let people apply at the age of 18, while others let you apply even sooner at 16-year-olds.
EU workers and their families and refugees may also be eligible.
A council house is reached through a points system, so depending on your housing needs, you may be considered low priority.
The council will contact you about any available property once you are high enough on the waiting list.
There is no limit on how long you can expect to be on the waiting list.
The TikTok clip, which was posted under the username @janinekxx, has clearly left many open-mouthed, as it has quickly amassed 95,100 views.
Many social media users, particularly those living in council properties, raced to the comments to share their thoughts.
No better life growing up than on a council estate
TikTok user
One person said: “It's a privilege to have a council house these days. I love mine.”
Another added: “I live in one. At least it’s safe and won’t be sold!!! Safer than private renting!!!”
A third commented: “No better life growing up than on a council estate. Best years of my life.”
Wish I'd stayed in my council house
TikTok user
Whilst someone else expressed: “Lived in a council house until I was 20. Loved it, I had the best life.”
At the same time, another user chimed in: “Unfortunately it's the same stigma for housing associations too.”
Meanwhile, one woman penned: “I bought my first house last year but I'm probably never gonna own it outright, I'll be dead lol.
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