Rights for this disabled man regarding housing?

mandyboops1973

Hi guys im after some advice for a friend of mine. i have only recently met this guy and i was shocked to discover how he was living.

He is disabled and recives high rate care and mobility, he was recently made homeless however has been put up by his brother who lives in a 3 story flat that has NO LIFTS only 3 flights of stairs,

His brother also lives on the top floor so my disabled friend has no other way of getting into the flat other than the stairs,

He suffers chronic arthritus some problem with his lower spine which im not sure about and also some other medicle conditons im also not sure about but he cannot manage the stairs on his own!

im not exaggerating here he litteraly canot mange the stairs on his own he seems to think he can but he clearly can not! although i suffer myself and also could do with care needs i have volonterd to help look after this guy because i feel so bad for him.

not only am i worried he may take a fall on the stairs but also if there where ever a fire in the flat he would be at a very high risk as the only way out is down the stairs.

I dont know what the counsil have told him but hes told me they are not willing to help, hes either been speaking toa numpty at the housing office or this is totaly out of order surely this guy should have a high priotiy? what would happen if there was infact a fire and he fell on the stairs?

Indie_Kid

Has he spoken to Shelter? Has he been told why he can't get suitable housing?

mandyboops1973

im not sure what shelter is sorry? this guy is very timid and can be easily fobbed off imo which i feel has happend by who ever he has spoken too. they havent given any explanations hes simply been told we cant help you because you do infact have a place to stay,

They did infact offer to try and find a hostel for him and offerd to ring some up and look for any free spaces for him but he is refusing to go into a hostel.I think he would rarther say he can manage the stairs than go into a hostel! surely tho evern if he refuses a hostel they have a duty to still find him some where if he is as risk as his current place?

been so timid i feel that he has not spoken up for himself and just left it at that. i have a feeling he may also have told them he can manage the stairs purely out of pride hes the kind that would rarther try it himself than ask for help.

he is without a doubt a danger to himself on the stairs, myself and his brother had told him not to try using them on his own hes promised he wont.

He dosent leave the flat much at all anyway, but i still worry as his brother works full time and i cannot be at the flat all the time and as far as i know ther is no other people to keep an eye on him so there are days where he is left along for manny hours, if he where to try the stairs and fall or incase of a fire it could turn out disatrous.

Anybody can see he cannot manage the stairs regardless if he says he can or not.i feel its my duty to go and tell the counsil this if need be!

Indie_Kid

Shelter are a housing charity - www.shelter.org.uk

Can you speak on his behalf and explain that whilst he does have somewhere to live, due to his disabilities it's not suitable?

GlasweJen

If your friend is constantly telling the council he can manage then no, they are under no obligation to find him somewhere else to stay, as far as they are aware he has a suitable roof over his head. Your friend needs to swallow his pride and explain exactly what he needs even if that means explaining that he can't get up the stairs on his own! The CAB might be able to arrange an advocat for him so they can be his voice and ensure he is getting everything he is entitled to but they are in high demand so might not be able to get on his case for a couple of weeks. You should make your friend an appointment at the local one stop shop and go with him, make a list of his problems and explain to them why he can't stay where he is just now, a letter from the doctor would be very helpful here as well.

ETA you should take his DLA award letter too and his blue badge if he has one, this will be further proof that he has mobility problems.

mandyboops1973

I have just tried to ring shelter but it appears they are closed on the weekend i will give them a call monday morning :A

I just rang the chap in question and had a little chat with him about what he wants to do in the future regarding a home, his brother has actualy given up his bed for him and is sleeping on the sofa not only that but he has also let me ( 4weeks ago a complete stranger) into his house with a set of keys to come and look after his brother when i have time!

This is a very stressfull time for the brother its the disabled chap that is the laid back one! I think he understands he cant stay where he is now for ever, hes very shy and laidback i think hes just getting on with things and not doing what he needs to do to get out of this mess.

I have told him i will go along with him to our local counsil and explaine the property is unsuitable and a danger to his health.

I dont have much knowlage about counsils and how the housing lists work etc, i would say he should have pretty high priority in this instance tho surely , a fire in unlikley but i can see him taking a fall down the stairs very easily this is my biggest worry!! i have no idea what to expect from the counsil so any advice would be great.

i really hope i can help him get sorted it would make me very happy to think that i helped

Angel3108

I have simular (SP) circs, in that my daughter is Physically disabled, with no mobility at all so myself and my husband are having to carry her everywhere ( she is 6)
You need to make sure that your friend is actually on the housing list, then you can request a home visit from the LA housing officer. If your friend is under the care of an OT, they can write to the council on your friends behalf supporting their application.

It won't be easy, you will have to keep on at them and it won't happen overnight ( we have be on the Priority list for 2 years with no sign of movement!) unfortunally (SP) there just isn't enough L.A housing to go around.
Hope this helps

tenmah

First of all he needs to get on the housing register. If you take all his medical letters etc then that will assist the Council in knowing what his problems are, and the fact he needs a ground floor property. It should help him with getting a high award for housing, however demand for council property is at an all time high, so it is not going to be a quick process.

Also contact Social Services and ask for a Housing Needs Assessment, so the Council have a guide to what he requires.

Sorry crossed post with above

McKneff

and bless you for being such a good friend. :A:T

krisskross

well done for trying to help.

How has he come to be homeless?

The local Authority may consider he has made himself homeless (like being evicted for non payment of rent) and have no duty to assist.

lolababy

Hi call social services who need to come out to see him. As with another poster on this site he will be classed as a vulnerable adult;
A vulnerable adult is defined in 'No Secrets' (the Government's Guidance on Adult Abuse) as: - 'a person aged 18 years or over, who is in receipt of or may be in need of community care services by reason of 'mental or other disability, age or illness and who is or may be unable to take care of him or herself, or unable to protect him or herself against significant harm or exploitation'.