Council housing

viktory

This is a horrible situation to be in at any time of the year, but at Christmas it is even worse. You have my sympathies. I can remember many years ago being in a similar situation. I had to suffer 6 weeks in a bed and breakfast in an area miles away from family, followed by a whopping 18 months in a hostel. I had one bedroom and a tiny living area but had to share the kitchen and bathroom with another family. I was finally housed in a seriously rough area in a high rise block (17th floor). Eventually (after 6 years) I did get moved out to the house that I am currently living in but had to suffer serious heart problems to get out. Seems that the council situation has not improved!

The reason I am saying all this is because sometimes, when you are forced to rely on social housing (and lets face no one would choose to live in social housing - we would all love to be able to choose and buy our own house) you have very limited choices. It is a bug bear of mine that the council sells off so much of their housing stock, leading to limited properties.

I am quite sure that the council aren't being deliberately difficult in refusing to give you the house/area you want. It might be the case that it would be better to have a safe and secure roof over your heads, even if it isn't in the area that they would prefer. I do understand that you have a child that goes to school and would therefore have difficulties in getting that child to school, but surely it wouldn't be an insurmountable problem?

I do hope that this gets resolved quickly for you. Good luck.

iwanttosave_2

i just had a thought, you said you said you are currently renting private accomadation, did you give a deposit when you moved in? you could always ask for that back now and see if you can secure another private tenancy, i know this is more expencive but just an idea, plus if you are not already claiming HB, they maybe able to halp with the rent payments

Savvy_Sue

iwanttosave wrote:

i just had a thought, you said you said you are currently renting private accomadation, did you give a deposit when you moved in? you could always ask for that back now and see if you can secure another private tenancy, i know this is more expencive but just an idea, plus if you are not already claiming HB, they maybe able to halp with the rent payments

Also the council may offer a rent deposit scheme if you can find anywhere privately. Although having just looked on our local council website (England not NI) it says it's for homeless single people and childless couples - presumably because they are a lower priority for social housing than families (even if it doesn't feel like it!)

Anyway, have a look for that as well. May be called a deposit bond scheme.

fattyrae1

Hi everyone,
Thank you for your comments and it is nice to know people are thinking of me, try praying, it might help!
Anyway, the update is:
I saw an MP on friday who has said he will do what he can. I have just found out though, that one house that has been empty and is ready for moving into (which the HE said was being renovated for disabled use) is actually being held back to move people into, while their own houses are being done up!
Me, my mum and my local councillor were all told it was being held for a disabled person once it is renovated and it turns out they are lying. Apparently, they are telling everyone this to stop them getting it.
I have been told i am full duty applicant, which means they have to give me a permanent property if there is one available.
I will ring the housing office on monday but God knows what i will say.

Any tips?
:xmassign:

Prudent

If you have to temporarily move out of area for your child's school ask about the council providing a taxi. I am a teacher and know this is done (via social work) for some children. You are especially likely to get one if another child is transported by taxi from that area. This is common with children who are 'looked after' (fostered). It is often felt better they retain stability by remaining at the same school. Might be worth popping into the school office and seeing if any children are taxied in by the council.

Although I do fully understand your priority is to live in the area. Hope it works out.

Fran

Hi, the problem with that house is that they will probably tell you it's in a diferent "pot" if you know what I mean. Though obviously it's worth asking I wouldn't get your hopes up for that particular one as people who have to move out while work is being done will have some pretty serious repairs that need doing and they also have a right to somewhere decent to live. I'm not meaning to sound as though it's hopeless, maybe your MP will have some influence. Good luck.

Fran

Following on what Prudent is saying, make sure you try the authority that you move to as well as the one that you move from if this happens. They will try to pass you back to the other but get your MP onto that as well! :rudolf:

stellagypsy

Hi Fattyrae, I've read this thread a bit late but am curious to know how you fared.

I work in Housing for a RSL (we were formerly a Council Housing Department) and am familiar with your situation from the other side of the counter. We do not have a waiting list, all our properties are available on the internet for anyone to apply for. The computer sorts out the applicants in to order and we have to take them in that order. It is called "Choice based lettings" and it is the way the Govt is going with social housing.

I have a major refurbishment programme going at the moment and have to keep a couple of properties empty for people to move in to temporarily who cannot cope with the scale of the works - so far, I have moved 2 people, and have to sort out an elderly chap when I go back next week. He's a bit of a "Mr Trebus" so that should be fun........

Also - would like to add that Councils (and us) have no control whatsoever on "right to buys" - it is the law, we would stop it if we could as we are now a regarded as a business and it is reducing our asset ratio by alarming proportions. We are currently looking at shared ownership as an option, whereby we retain a percentage share and rental income for each property, to help us hang on to our stock.

Re the housing of offenders and ex offenders - we work with an organisation who support this group and they are very good with them. However, the odd one slips through the net. Last year I evicted a persistent nuisance tenant whilst he was in jail (not easy, but I did it) - so if you have a nuisance neighbour like you describe, put the pressure on your Housing Officer to take action / keep a nuisance diary - they can't do anything without evidence. But it CAN be done. But at the end of the day the Council (and the likes of us) are SOCIAL landlords and the main criteria is to provide accommodation for those in housing need - and that includes (ex) offenders. But the point is they have to stick to the rules when they have been rehoused.

Stella xx