MIL being made homeless

mgardner

elona wrote:

How about contacting her member of parliament who may be able to pull a few strings.

Telling her story to local newspaper - "Family out on streets etc!" May shame the council into doing something.

Absolutely agree Her MP is the best bet. Wish her all the best.

Savvy_Sue

I'm just left wondering if the CAB were really no use, or if MIL didn't want to hear what she was told? Agree that Shelter are good. Good luck, a horrible situation to be in!

hjb123

Savvy_Sue wrote:

I'm just left wondering if the CAB were really no use, or if MIL didn't want to hear what she was told?

I must admit I agree with this. The CAB always seem to be so helpful! And from what you say in other posts the MIL seems to be refusing help from other sources also!

It sounds like a case of I want it my way or no way at all! Sorry if that sounds horrible!

elona

I agree with Savvy Sue - did not want to say it but think that MIL will not want "people knowing her business"

so will not contact anyone who could help.

It could be that the only bit of power she has is to deny the situation and to reject any ones help or advice.

rchddap1

I'm trying to find out possible avenues of support that we can suggest. If she chooses not to follow them up or not to listen then that is her choice. However, we will have done everything we can to help.

We can't and won't force our suggestions on her, but its important for us both to feel like we have done everything that we can. You are quite possibly right, but the more she knows about possible sources of support the greater the chances that she'll take one of them.

LondonDiva

Good luck with what sounds like a really emotional situation. Try to make sure your OH knows that you are here for her as well as her family.

Could you & OH speak to her about putting up a deposit for a bedsit / one bed flat? that way, she can make some plans & the kids can share the living room. She could then make an application for hb/jsa etc...

Alleycat

Do you know if your MIL has actually had a homeless assessment, when they said she would be intentionally homeless? If not, then she needs to tell them she wants one done as whilst they are investigating they will have to provide temporary accommodation. Once a decision is made and if she is found to be intentionally homeless (i.e. they have no duty towards her) she would be able to stay in temporary for a further 28 days. This would give your MIL some breathing space to try and sort out alternative accommodation. If however, a positive decision is given, then they will keep her in temporary accommodation for as long as it takes to get an offer of accommodation (there are some rules and regs, this is just the basics).

If the council have already completed a homeless assessment and the decision was intentionally homeless, then your MIL needs to ask for a review (as long as she is in time, 21 days after the decision has been made). Whilst they are carrying out a review, they may be able to house her temporarily (they do not have to by law, but she should request this and if refused immediately seek advice from another advice agency to negotiate on her behalf).

Regarding the storage of possessions, if she is temporarily housed by the council they have a duty to provide storage if she has nowhere else or cannot afford to pay for storage herself.

Re the pets, it is highly likely that if no family member or friend can take them in then they will have to go to an animal centre. Most of these centres don't tend to take animals in temporarily unless they are a cattery or such. I know the RSPCA don't do this, so she may lose them or have to pay boarding fees.

The 17 year old, can present as homeless to the council separately and they would have a duty to assist him. He would be in priority need as he is under 18 and is being made homeless through no fault of his own. They could provide hostel or B&B accommodation for him, until they were successful in finding a longer term solution. This would most probably be some sort of supported accommodation for young people. The 15 year old would be too young and would have to go to Social Services for assistance (he could end up in care or with foster parents until your MIL could provide a stable home for him).

If it gets to the stage of the council being unable to provide any accommodation and there is nowhere for your MIL and the children to go, then Social Services would be the next port of call, as they have a duty under the childrens act to assist where there are under 16's involved.

Sorry to have gone on and on, but there was a lot to fit in!

If you want any more detail I will keep an eye on this thread or you can pm me.

Alley

november

rchddap1 wrote:

Thanks for the link, but her town isn't on the list. Besides, she doesn't have the income to rent privately anyway.

She could claim housing benefit to pay for rent. There will be a limit to what they will pay. If she ends up having to go down the private rented road she can get a Pre-Tenancy Determination (PTD) form from the council. This has to be filled in and sent back. It gives an estimate of what housing benefit will pay on a property. What it doesn't do is take into account any income above income support.

eg. property rental = £675. MIL is assessed as having 3 bed need (2 children different sex). PTD gives back rate of £650. That means if your MIL was just on income support she would have to find £25 month herself. If she gets any money above income support she would get a deduction for that.

With housing benefit she may get a deduction for the 17 year old as a non dependant (depends on circs). That is because 17 year olds are expected to contribute to the household if they are working or on JSA.


Sorry to harp on about private rented but if the council review fails or she is now outside time for the review this could be her only option unless there is any other form of social housing available in the area which is outside the council's list. Its always worth trying Social Services to see if they will help with a deposit if she hasn't got it as they may prefer this to taking the 15 year old into care.

diamondsky

Hi,

I have only read your first detail and from what you are saying I don't understand why she is classed as intentionally homeless. Due to the bankruptcy, is that why she is losing her house?

The upshot of all of this, is that she has to go to the CAB urgently for a specialist housing worker to argue her case due to having two children. If she was to lose her home, she could ask for 42 days extra to look for accommodation. I would strongly recommend a visit to the CAB asap. If she does not seek assistance, the Judge will consider this as accepting of her situation and will not be lenient.

If she cannot face going to the CAB, you could explain to her that she can get independent help from the CAB and they will have her interest at heart, not the council's!!! If she agrees, but still won't attend the CAB she could write a short letter giving her authority for someone else to act and attend on her behalf for assistance. Please tell her to get urgent help or she will lose her home and split up her family.

rchddap1

Thanks for the advice but the bankruptcy and the repossession are seperate issues. She has already had 42 days to look for accommodation and has failed. It has taken the council that long to also decide that she does not qualify.