Hi Bronte
I can't disagree with you.
He came across much better than you in my opinion Brendan. It was much easier for him as he just had 1 point to keep making : it's cheaper than other options. You can't argue with that.
The real question we should be asking is why is social housing so expensive in this country? There was a mention of HAP being average 26k a year? You can justify anything compared to that.
I agree with elements of your argument Brendan, but if as a society we provide social housing, then the concept of the taxpayer becoming landlord for a person's existing home where they default on their mortgage, and qualify for social housing, isn't such a bad idea. Whether we need AHB's, particularly where the role is undertaken by a commercial entity, is a separate question.
So, questions I would have:
1. Should we provide social housing at all?
2. If we do, should the recipient have any choice of where accomodation is provided?
3. Should the taxpayer buy existing housing stock from banks where mortgages are in default, to provide social housing?
4. Do we need 3rd parties involved in the process?