Getting recompense when these things happen can be hard especially if they are claiming benefits. Local authorities are allowed to apply for money to be taken directly from their benefits to be paid back to them , small landlords should have the same rights.
Sheila, social housing does not get a rent subsidy but local authorities and housing associations and cooperative apply for a social housing building payment which is paid per unit(I think) to assist on the cost of the building. I know it had been reduced in recent years which didn't help the then government to achieve their housing targets. I believe that this is for organisations that are not for profit so any surplus is put back into buildings, maintenance and refurbishment.
On a side note in 1935 the North Eastern Housing Association was formed to provide decent housing in the greatly depressed area of South Tyneside, it was the only housing association formed by an act of parliament and a lot of their first houses were built in Jarrow and Hebburn.
