This is a discussion forum where people give their opinion. The current pseudo-socialist policy of not allocating resources on an ongoing needs basis is the topic of this thread and many posters, including me, are offering their opinion that the current policy is wasteful, socially unjust and socially damaging. That's all.
As I said before;
You are of course entitled to that view
The point is, we can all argue the day and night as to what should or shouldn’t be – with a plethora of different issues. But at some point, when trying to figure out why things aren’t as they “should be” it might be worthwhile doing some background on the issue.
Housing is a complex issue. It would be wonderful if we could neatly pack up families and individuals move them around as required – but it is not realistic, and since housing policy dates back before the foundation of the state, that it is subject today to EU directives and policy
http://www.housingeurope.eu/
that there is a vast, vast amount of study and research and policy implementation, all subject to innumerable and variable factors, not least budgetary requirements, that the notion of simplifying by what “should be” and moving people on “ when they sort themselves out” goes nowhere to resolving the current housing crisis in Ireland.
If he State requires people to move, it should incentivise them not coerce or compel them. A tax rebate or tax credit to cover the costs of moving into more suitable accommodation might be a start?
A house building program, using borrowed funds if need be, might also help – it might be worth pointing out that given the high cost of private ownership and rental, that this acts as a barrier to foreign investment and talent setting up in this country. Borrowing today, to accommodate the future might be a worthwhile option.
Aside from that, it has already been shown to you that social housing tenants already pay a rent based on their income. They also pay tax on that income, which goes no more, no less, to the provision of that housing too.
It has also already been shown to you that in LA housing, the average incomes are not much above minimum wage (with some 60% of that made up of welfare benefits), so the reality of ‘sorting themselves out’ can be somewhat a challenge if the household consists of elderly or disabled, or people with poor education.
I could go on, but the magic cohort of high income earners “who could well afford to buy” but choose to continue living in social housing is simply not there. And of the rare incidences where it does happen, ‘moving on’ will make very little difference to the housing crisis which consists of FTB’s who also want to buy but are unable to get in on the market.