Older people in big houses - selfish?

One of today's leading news stories focuses on the call of new group; The Intergenerational Foundation, for tax breaks to encourage older people to downsize and help free up family-size houses.

 

It is estimated there are 25 million unused bedrooms in England, and this charity say that while many people are living longer and staying in what was once their family home, younger families are being squeezed into smaller properties.

 

The group doesn't seem to want older people to be forced to move, but many people reading the article (see the 380 comments!) have highlighted the sentiment seems to imply that remaining in a house larger than you require is selfish.

 

To read the full story click here.

 

What do you think?

Is it selfish for people to continue living in big family houses with multiple bedrooms going unused?

Or is a home more than just walls and rooms?

Would tax breaks encourage you to downsize?

 

Very interesting debates going on around this!

 

Tags: MfOPdisc, housing

Views: 959

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Michael Thompson on January 30, 2012 at 23:32

""""""""""""no Michael I'm definitely not...  I'm not really a political person but have an interest in its effects on society. """""""""""

 

I could not agree more.  I loathe any kind of injustice.

Permalink Reply by Richard Alexandar on March 8, 2012 at 20:39
Permalink Reply by Phill Blackwood on March 15, 2012 at 12:12

I guess I'd add that it's not only older people who live in houses bigger than they need - people of all ages do it. If you can afford it who wouldn't want a spare room or two for family and friends to come visit - space is something all people aspire for isn't it?

Permalink Reply by Michael Thompson on March 15, 2012 at 12:44

I cannot even believe this subject is being discussed. 

 

It is bad enough that the elderly are being shunted from pillar to post because the State refuses to fund their residential care after this generation have spent a lifetime paying into the system.

What Britain needs is a universial council house building programme, because there will always be someone somewhere wanting to rent because they cannot afford to buy. 

Unfortunately this wont happen under Cameron, because he is now to busy trying to grab votes via even more council house sellf offs, like Thatcher did in the 80's, and Thatcher stopped building council houses, and Cameron wont be building any either.

Permalink Reply by Diane Franks on April 2, 2012 at 10:46

 A house to most people is their home. It contains so many memories that nothing could replace those. Also so many people feel safe and secure in their home they have known for years.  A home is a home first and a house second. I am selling my home now as I cannot afford to live there any more. My new house will never really be my home. My home will always be in the past where the family memories are.

Permalink Reply by Michael Thompson on April 2, 2012 at 11:49

Hi Diana Franks, I could not agree more with you. 

 

There are people on here who have seemingly lost their souls as they pontificate pensioners, or anybody, being forced to downsize for future generations.

 

Britain needs a universial council / social housing policy initiated by central government, but this wont happen while the right wing are in power, and have been since the 80's.

People buy "prperties" today, to make a profit at the expense of somebody else's bad fortune, and this is a disgrace.

As you say, a houese is a place to live in, and not to build a bank balance.

 

Personally I am all for the European culture of housing, where many people rent, without batting an eye lid.

Permalink Reply by Joseph Tarleton Croft on April 2, 2013 at 11:48

this only applies to people who are on some sort of benefit , i dont recieve any benefits even though i only have a state pension of £108 per week to live on , i cant get pension credit because because i have more than the allotted savings in the bank , but we down sized from a 4 bed Bungalow into a 3 bed semi , and i am still trying to find some thing smaller , we down sized mainly to stop the government seizing our property if any of us needed to go into care , i would rather our children have the money than give it to the State to waste , in foreign aid or giving it to the EU , but i do think people need an extra room for guests ,  

Permalink Reply by Michael Thompson on April 2, 2013 at 12:56

It's called the means test mate.  Across Europe State pensions are higher, and there's no need for means tested handouts.

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