Housing for pregnant 17 year old

dedward67

Hi, don't have a garage, that got converted into a granny flat for my wife's elderely parents (in their 80's). Have to admit, the caravan idea did cross my mind, as did the "log cabins" (the cheaper under 2k type - large sheds in effect). We do have garden space, but not sure how we'd get a caravan down the 5 foot gap at the side of our house and through the 3.5 foot gate!! We do have patch of gravel at the front of the house which visitors park on, but not sure our neighbours would be too impressed about having a permanent tourer on there!

PasturesNew

dedward67 wrote: »

not sure our neighbours would be too impressed about having a permanent tourer on there!

I'd have suggested a log cabin, but they can be pricey and some are OK under permitted development, but you've already extended, so it could be quite long-winded.

I had a quick look into "people living in a caravan on a drive" the other week and it appears that so long as they aren't self-contained living, there's unlikely to be anything the neighbours can do about it. And they'd still be in the house watching TV, using your loo/bath, cooking, being part of the family.

However, as you know, you would be deemed the chav-scum neighbours from hell most likely

But, if it gives extra living space until something better's worked out, then it'd be daft to dismiss it completely.

Premier_2

dedward67 wrote: »

Work wise, her b/f is prepared to do anything and has sent off loads of applications (50+). He's thinking of doing a plumbing course which Job centre plus will help towards in the hope he can make a career of it, but that would mean taking a career delelopment loan for the remainder of the total cost (around £5.5k total).

I don't think an unemployed person should be thinking of taking on that type of borrowing when they have a mother & child to look after.

There are plenty of jobs currently available on the farms in Lincolnshire this time of year - a stutter won't matter, most of the workers don't even speak English so he's already got an advantage over them.

Once he's in employment and shown he's able to hold it down for a while, he's more likely to find another job. Always easier to find a new job if you've already got a job.

dedward67 wrote:

...There used to be a glut of land work this time of year, but our town has become very multicultural (around 1 in 5 are now non UK nationals), so most of these jobs are no longer available...

The jobs are definitely still there- that's probably in part what has attracted the 'multicultural'. How come they can get the work without even speaking English and the bf can't even if he speaks with a stutter?

milliebear00001

Congratulations on your impending grandchild!

Seems to me that your daughter is both entitled to temporary suitable accommodation for her household, and is a priority case for long-term council housing. These two issues are separate and you should make sure the Council knows you want to be considered for both. SO...you need to apply for temporary suitable accommodation for your daughter and her partner - you can argue that single mothers accommodation is not appropriate as she is not single! This is difficult, but Shelter will help you. Secondly, you must ask to be placed on the waiting list for permanent accommodation and particularly emphasise that she qualifies as a priority for permanent rehousing because she is pregnant and under 18.

Shelter has a very helpful calculator on their website and will help you argue your case if the council are still obstructive. The council's interest in making this process difficult, is so that your daughter and her bf will feel intimidated into 'going home'. They have a duty to rehouse them appropriately - end-of - so fight your corner.

Snooze

dedward67 wrote: »

Hi

We have a problem, our 17 year daughter announced a couple of weeks ago she was pregnant by her 21 year old bf of 12 months.

My [STRIKE]condolences[/STRIKE] congratulations.

dedward67 wrote:

The local clinic tried to persuade them it would be better not to have the baby, but they both remained adamant that now it had happened they wanted the baby. Unfortunately there's an urban myth that the council is always happy to hand house keys to pregnant women, so they thought that was how it would work either by ignorance or stupidity!!

Ah yes, that urban myth. :rolleyes: Sadly it seems that all youngsters these days have got this same "idea" in their heads.

Personally I think you need to do whatever is needed to get this "idea" out of their heads and get them to wake up to the reality of their situation. They ain't gonna get a council house anytime soon because there's approx 10,000 in front of them in the queue and even if he gets a job it's gonna need to be well above NMW in order to afford a private rent and pay all the bills that will come with it, your daughter and the kid.

The kid is the important one in all this and in my opinion they should get shut of it as they don't have the "infrastructure" in place to support it (and aren't likely to for the forseeable future) and nor do they have the means/finances. I've no doubt the do-gooder's will disagree with me but, well, there you go.

Rob

Phirefly

OMG

ged1980

Snooze wrote: »

My [strike]condolences[/strike] congratulations.



Ah yes, that urban myth. :rolleyes: Sadly it seems that all youngsters these days have got this same "idea" in their heads.

Personally I think you need to do whatever is needed to get this "idea" out of their heads and get them to wake up to the reality of their situation. They ain't gonna get a council house anytime soon because there's approx 10,000 in front of them in the queue and even if he gets a job it's gonna need to be well above NMW in order to afford a private rent and pay all the bills that will come with it, your daughter and the kid.

The kid is the important one in all this and in my opinion they should get shut of it as they don't have the "infrastructure" in place to support it (and aren't likely to for the forseeable future) and nor do they have the means/finances. I've no doubt the do-gooder's will disagree with me but, well, there you go.

Rob

What gives you the right to say "get shut of it" OMG its a life we talking about here not a toy to through away

dedward67

ged1980 wrote: »

What gives you the right to say "get shut of it" OMG its a life we talking about here not a toy to through away

I agree wholeheartedly. Yes it's the easy option, however, it's not a decision we as parents would want to make for her as I know of many people who've gone this way and had regrets and feelings of guilt for years after. They are both firmly committed to keeping the baby and all we can do is try to support them. We get by monthly, but certainly couldn't afford to buy or rent a place for them!! The issue is where the hell they're gonna live!!! Caravan, a possible option though not great and could only fit a towing caravan on our drive. If the council really can't help, it's private accomodation only. If it comes to it me and Mrs can just afford to stump up deposit, but they'd have to pay the rent themselves and at the moment that would just be via housing benefit and JSA!

Premier_2

Phirefly wrote: »

OMG

:rotfl:

Can I join you please? You'll get fat eating that never ending bag of popcorn on your own.

barnaby-bear

Phirefly wrote: »

OMG

I'll join you