Thursday, 02 September 2010

Rent should not be linked to income

15/01/2010

I was amazed to read Chartered Insitute of Housing president Howard Farrand suggest (Inside Housing, 8 January) that rents should be linked to incomes and that higher earners should pay more rent.

As a front-line officer, I have discussed personal finances with many people in social housing. The biggest impression this has given me is the similarity in financial circumstances between those who work and earn decent salaries (up to £20,000 per year) and those who rely on benefits.

Those in social housing who do work should be able to enjoy the benefits of their labours - not be taxed further through higher rents. We should be seeking a social mix in social housing, not driving all but the most needy away.

Simon Green, Chartered Institute of Housing member

Readers' comments (1)

  • Sandra Martin

    Sandra Martin | 22/01/2010 12:33 pm

    Go to www.citywesthomes.com.au
    This will give you a picture of how this can work and make the system more equitable. Right now many people cannot get into housing, many have high incomes and two or three people working in the same households. Would you not agree that those on a higher income should pay more given that they pay the same as those on low and very low incomes. The rent could fall if anything untoward happens, such as illness or unemployment, and rise when income rises giving back to the system so that others can benefit.

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