@britexpat the answer to your question "Why bring your family here to live in hardship" lies within itself by answering to Why accept offer to live in hardship?. The housing allowance reflects only in offer . There is always somebody who would accept particular offer even if it is non acceptable by other thus the balance continues . It is upto the Authorities to Fix a cap on the rent relative to bed room and sizes .First make suitable arrangement for existing resident at reasonable rent .