When people hear the words "social housing," their minds often jump to outdated stereotypes, unfair, inaccurate, and deeply harmful assumptions about the people who live there. But for me, social housing isn't a political talking point or a headline. It's personal. I grew up in it. My family still lives in it. And it's time we changed the narrative.
A Place I Called Home
Growing up in social housing didn’t mean growing up in poverty, chaos, or hopelessness. It meant growing up in a house that felt safe, in a familiar community, and with a family that instilled values that shaped me for life.
It wasn’t a “typical” estate, at least not in the way the media portrays it. Yes, some families struggled, but many others thrived. Some of my friends' parents owned their homes outright, mortgage-free. Others lived in houses I could only dream of as a child, double garages, big gardens, space that felt infinite to someone growing up in a more modest home. But none of that changed the fact that we were friends, part of the same neighbourhood, walking the same streets and sharing the same laughs.
The homes were different, but the people weren’t.
Stability, Not Shame
As a child, I didn’t feel "less than" for where I lived, until society told me I should. I began to notice how people talked about council estates and how they looked down on those who lived there. It was subtle sometimes, jokes, assumptions, a raised eyebrow when I mentioned that no, my mum, who single-handedly raised three strong independent women, did not own the home we lived in, but it was enough to make me question my place in the world and think that I was beneath other children my age.
What I came to realise, though, is that the problem wasn’t where I lived. The problem was how others viewed it.
What Is Social Housing, Really?
Before breaking the stigma, we must understand what social housing truly is.
Social housing refers to affordable homes provided by local councils or housing associations to people needing secure and stable accommodation. It’s designed to support individuals and families who can’t afford to rent or buy on the open market due to low income, job insecurity, or personal circumstances.
It’s not a handout, it’s a safety net. And it’s been a crucial part of the UK’s housing system for generations.
Here's what makes social housing different:
- Affordable Rents: Social housing rents are typically below market rates. In 2024, the average weekly council rent in England was £91.50, compared to an average private rent of over £230.
- Long-Term Security: Unlike private renters who may face short-term leases and eviction with little notice, social tenants often have assured or secure tenancies, offering stability for families to put down roots.
- Maintenance Responsibility: Social landlords (like councils and housing associations) are legally required to maintain homes to a decent standard—something that’s far too rare in the private sector.
- Community Investment: Social housing schemes often include support services, local employment initiatives, and community development programmes.
But perhaps most importantly, social housing is not just about shelter, it’s about dignity. It allows people to work, raise families, care for loved ones, and live peacefully. It supports key workers, people with disabilities, carers, veterans, and the elderly.
Despite its essential role, investment in social housing has plummeted over the last few decades. Since the 1980s, the UK has lost over 1.5 million social homes due to Right to Buy schemes and a lack of replacement buildings. Today, over 1.2 million households are waiting for a social home, many living in temporary accommodation, hostels, or overcrowded flats while they wait.
From Social Housing to Private Renting
I moved into private renting at the age of 21, thinking it was a natural step forward. I thought it was a sign of progress, independence, and adulthood. And while it certainly gave me some freedoms, it also opened my eyes.
The truth? The homes weren't better, just more expensive. I paid more rent and had less security. In many ways, I had more peace of mind growing up in social housing than I did in private accommodation, call it a safe haven.
But that experience only deepened my appreciation for where I came from. It reminded me that value doesn’t lie in bricks and mortar alone, it lies in what that home allows you to build.
Social Housing Made Me Who I Am
Social housing didn’t just give me a roof over my head. It gave me roots. And those roots grew into a mindset: never shy away from hard work, always be consistent, and always strive for more, not out of shame, but out of pride.
I’ve never been afraid of effort. Whether it was the jobs I was working, studying, or personal growth, I’ve always wanted to better myself, not to distance myself from where I started, but to honour it. I’ve worked to ensure that when people look at me, they see someone who has worked hard to find a place in society, doing something they genuinely love, but equally, that they are not afraid to discuss the type of house they grew up in as they were shaped and strengthened by it.
Because of where I grew up, I carry an awareness of real-life struggles that many never see. I understand the value of opportunity because I’ve seen what it means to go without it. And I know that community, compassion, and resilience don’t come from postcode privilege or the family dynamics of owning a home; they come from lived experience.
Why the Stigma Needs to Go
Let’s look at the facts:
- Nearly 4 million people live in social housing in England alone.
- Over 1.2 million households are currently on waiting lists for a social home.
- The average private rent in the UK is over £1,200 per month, while the average council rent is around £450, offering a vital lifeline for those who are priced out of the market.
- A 2021 study found that 37% of social housing tenants had experienced discrimination or negative judgment based on their housing status.
These are real lives, not statistics. They're key workers, single parents, pensioners, and young people trying to get their start. They're not lazy. They're not "scroungers." They're people who deserve respect and dignity, not stigma and shame.
And many of them, like my family, are proud, hardworking individuals who contribute just as much to society as anyone else.
Rewriting the Narrative
We need to stop looking down and start looking around. The stigma around social housing doesn't just misrepresent reality, it hurts real people. It affects policy decisions, social attitudes, and even the mental health of those living there.
But we can change that.
We can choose to speak up, to share our stories, to stand proud of where we come from. We can show that social housing is not a failure, it's a foundation.
I’ll never be ashamed of my background. Social housing gave me the tools to build the life I have today. It made me resilient, grounded, and grateful. And many of the people I love most still live in it, raising families, helping neighbours, and living with dignity.
Let’s finally break the stigma. Let’s rewrite the story. And let’s celebrate the homes and the people that make social housing what it truly is: a cornerstone of a just society.
Spotlight: Social Housing
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Contact Us
If you or your team ever need our support or expertise, please do not hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help.
Kim Parsons
Phone: 0121 798 0498
Mobile: 0770 015 7018
Email: kim@spirehouse.co.uk
