i dont think i over looked anything theres no rule that say u cant buy i no some people have never worked who relie on socia housing but many years ago it was exactly the same no properties to rent u had to buy because if you worked then it whent against u as far as getting a council house u cant be treated the same as an abled body person if u are disabled its impossible if i had been in a house for 2 years that wasent suitable and making me ill i would have done something about it or thr people who care for me would have i know the council arent great thats our fault peole like to moan and shout but ask them to make a stand wosh there gone
i worked for 35 years in the same job became ill and had to leave my wife now supports me and my family i dont get any help whats so ever maybe i should because iam disabled

Jimbo, like many people who use this forum, people make a stand, but making a stand is often topic specific and can come down to a single perons own experience on a given topic, not every person cn stand on every topic.

There is a rule that says you cannot buy, 1 the property might not have the right to acquire.

two years ao 4000 people were claiming DLA, the majority of cases were genunie, yet they were targeted for cut backs.

A person in receipt of DLA, benefits etc will not get a mortgage and with the credit crunch it is becoming harder.

We will see more people need Social Housing because of repossessions, homelessness is up yet housing stock is sold off at an alarming rate, like this month, 525 going to auction.

The point is, there is no equality in choice for disabled people, if they declined someone because of their race, then almighty kick offs would happen.

You've overlooked some very valid points made earlier in this topic.

When it comes to making a stand, I think my stance on a wide rage of local topics is well documented.

I wonder if someone can bring other opinions into this I have found on the CYH scheme about their lettings policy for Lawley. This is a joint scheme between Beth Johnson and Bournville Village Trust.

There are many points which can be questioned but if anyone can clarify this one point that I personally see as blatant 'worded' discrimination:

Equal Opportunities

Applying local lettings plans to the allocation of properties may have an adverse effect on equal opportunities. However, whilst the lettings plan limits the number of certain groups, it does not exclude anyone. It attempts to balance groups of people in order to ensure a mixed and sustainable community.

Then why can a disabled person not apply. I am not entitled to apply for these homes because my wife is disabled. Am I wrong or what?

It is without adoubt clear discrmination, this policy with the WHT has already been challenged once and the disabled resident gotthedecision overturned based on the grounds of discrimination.

By not allowing a disabled person to apply, is excluding, therefore discriminatory.

As stated in a letter I received following a complaint and subsequent meeting with a senior member of the WHT, it states;

Dated 24/07/08

"In our meeting I outlined how the Choose You Home (CYH) system works, explaining the banding system and the types of properties people are eligible to bid on.

I have taken on board your comments that this is unclear on the website and we will amend this in a future development".

Note: So far the changes have not been made on the CYH website.

Therefore it seems that in the future we may see a change in the properties advertised where it will clearly state on specific houses "Do Not Apply If You Are DISABLED".

I think that would do the trick!

I'm just about to send out the following email to MP's, Cllrs etc,


Housing Summit

As you will be aware, the last 18 months or so have seen the Social Housing waiting list in the Borough of Telford and Wrekin increase from 5000 to 11,000.

As you know, the issue of Social Housing is somewhat complexed and with a growing population the future housing needs are only going to increase.

The issues facing the Borough of Telford and Wrekin and the need for Social Housing are further compounded by issues such as

* An ageing population
* Increased needs by young people aged 16 to 25 years
* The Sales of current housing stock
* Housing not being replaced after sales are completed
* A growing population linked with the dash for City Status
* An unfair Choice on Choose Your Home ie – All houses available in the all bands section are allocated to those in the Urgent band thus negating the need for this banding.

And many more issues besides.

Having assisted a number of residents gain a home of their own or even simply emergency accommodation, I am alarmed at the clear discrimination faced by those residents who are disabled and find themselves a victim of Disability Discrimination through no fault of their own, but more because they were honest and declared a disability in the belief they would be treated fairly.

An able bodied resident can apply for up to three houses per week therefore they have a opportunity to apply for 150 houses annually. When compared to that of a disabled resident the discrimination becomes clear as their annual choice is restricted to about six per annum. Although they can apply, they will not receive equal consideration because of their disability.

The argument for this policy seems to revolve around the issue of adaptions. The needed adaptions for many disabled residents could be easily catered for as they are aids that can be easily transferred from one property to another without any cost to the Social Housing Landlord.

Other issues further compound the problems as residents can be injected into the housing waiting list from outside agencies, giving the impression of queue jumping, therefore it is not uncommon to find a single person in for example a three bed property or a partially adapted house, suitable for disabled residents being allocated to able bodied residents.

The social housing waiting list consists of a wide range of residents going back as long as 1992, by any standards, this is not acceptable.

Whilst the whole issue is complex, what I do firmly believe is “doing nothing” is no longer an option. It is not about now, next week or even next year, It is about our children, grandchildren and beyond.

It only takes an adverse twist of fate and anyone of us could find ourselves on the street and in the need of Social Housing.

As the moves towards a Housing Summit appear to have come to grinding halt, myself and other residents are going to arrange a Housing Summit and will forward invitations to yourselves accordingly.

I respectfully ask that you put your weight behind it, raise the genuine concerns of residents, put politics to one side and start the wheels of motion towards constructive change which is an extremely important Social Issue effecting many in our communities.

Kind Regards

John Franklyn, 83 Queens Road, Donnington, Telford, TF2 8BZ, 01952 676990, telfordcouncilwatch@minister.com

I'll compile a list of people and forward, then we can guage who really see it as a real issue.

I've had the pleasure o having a very talk with MP David Wright this evening. He has been man enough to offer an olive branch, despite all the criticisn i've thrown at him and I have accepted it.

We will be talking about getting the Housing Summit moving and I am feeling very confident about it happening.

Whilst I am always prepared to do my bit, I have to admit that there are others who would be better at handling it, because of position and experience.

I hope this is the beginnings of good news for some.

Why is David Right ringing you John ? are you sure it was David Right MP and not the foot ball player.
I would like to know is he going to talk to all of us ?.

This is absolutely excellent news providing there is honesty at this summit and no hiding facts and making excuses. We all know what the MP's, etc, can be capable of.

Who are you thinking of for taking this matter further. I, for one, may not be the best candidate inspite of the fact that I instigated the most recent attack on the Trusts for the disabled issue, but if I am asked then I would love to take up the challenge and offer help in bringing some strong views and evidence to the summit.

Unless there are any other individuals, possibly George Ashcroft, then I will do what I can and offer my services freely.

Did you have anyone specific in mind who has both a position and/or experience?

I do think its vital to be honest here, any housing trust could quite easily ignore a bog standard resident and could easily ignore a Councillor, but it is certainly alot harder to ignore an MP especially if they are accompanied by a housing minister and the opportunity to get all groups together is not one to be missed.

I do also feel, as hard as it maybe that this has to be handled not only sensitively, but also professionally as a topic of this nature can be very emotive.

Getting us together as residents will be the easy step as we all want the best and we can get together to plan our strategy