Where do I start ? no point going on !

lazy&indebt

I am fuming on your behlaf also - especially when I know there are young girls in my home town who are getting themselves pregnant simply to obtain housing so they don't have to work and they usually suceed, then when someone ACTUALLY needs help they won't lift a finger! I definately agree that contacting your local MP and/or press is a very good idea.
And, at the risk of being a little unorthodox, I would put the debts out of your mind (if you can) and concentrate on finding somewhere to live first and foremost. Once that's sorted then you can look at your debts

overbudget

I can't believe this either - what sort of "welfare" state is this??? I'm sorry I have no practical advice - but I wanted to send virtual hugs to you - and bump this back up to page 1. :grouphug:

kickingkay

I feel sick reading this from worry for you and how you have been left by our system and i so wish i could offer you some help, Fantastic bargain almost 100 items
Some brand new with tags some new without tags and most in nearly new condition!
i think maybe its time to get the media involved and show up our inadiquate (sp) welfare system for what it really is have you thought about writing to your local paper/ news desk or even magazines i know it might seam abit odd but you know when a story like this hits the public it really causes big stirs especially in this country in todays living standards if i had a room i could let you stay in i would i guess im thinking that somewhere there might be that one helpful person who reads your story and can help with your housing situation,
im so sorry i really dont know how to help, you have had some excellent advise about stuff i havent had to deal with in many years so im not familar with the point system but it was said earlier contact your mp get in touch with the media get your self known and your circumstances if you have to tug at every heart string then tug!

JayneC

Hi can't get straight. In my work I have often helped people apply for housing via homelessness route and as long as the landlord is not evicting you because of rent arrears then you should not be deemed intentionally homeless. I have had a number of clients who hadn't paid top-ups and this has not prevented them being accepted. Our local authority is notoriously rubbish and it appears will try not to help if they can help it!!
Also when you apply as homeless they have to rehouse you whilst they assess your claim so it will give you more time even if they do find you intentionally homeless. You must wait until the court evicts you though. the landlord must give you legal notice, they don't need to prove they have any particular reason but they must give a minimum of 2 months notice (which cannot be backdated) with the end date and the housing act quoted. then they must take you to court when the notice expires. the court will then give a date when you must leave - normally after 28 days. and on that day you can apply to the local authority. do this anyway even if they've advised you it won't be successful. If your landlord is not evicting you because of arrears then there should be no need to even mention it!! Only this week a person I have supported has been accepted as homeless as the landlord stated he had evicted her in order to refurbish his building, which is true but she also had significant arrears, this however was not mentioned.
Try and find a local housing advice centre to help fight your case.
In the event you are not accepted by local authority you could look for local hostels and B&Bs - the council should help you with this they have a duty to provide advice and information. You can then put in another application to the council on the grounds that you have inadequate housing.!!!

Can't_Get_Straight

Firstly, thank you so much to everyone who replied, even if I don't mention you by name, I have read every reply twice and taken it all in, plus I made notes. It is so appreciated, you wouldn't believe. I have no family to talk to or share this with, so having you all reply to me, made me cry, but in a good way, thank you. I have felt marginally better today, mainly because I cleaned the house all day and scrubbed carpets and skirtings etc to keep my mind off of it.

Ok, I'm trying to answer points, forgive me if I forget anything.................

My Landlady is not a friend, she was recommended by a friend of mine, apart from that she is just a Landlady. I have tried everything with her and even offered to do odd jobs around the house that need doing in return for the top up of rent, but her and her partner are very heavy drinkers (according to the entire village I live in !) and I just get the odd ranting, drunken phonecall from either of them now and again. Of course when I pull them up about this, they can't remember it !!!

With regards her Divorce (she is living with her new partner), apparently she needs to get the house valued. I don't know why she won't say. If she's getting it valued for her divorce proceedings, does that mean she co-owns the house with her husband (Ex) and he wants his share. If that's the case, I don't think our tenancy is right because it's in the names of my landlady and her new partner. Why would she be getting it valued for divorce proceedings otherwise, or do you think this is just an excuse ?

I have contacted Social Services and they do have a duty with the children, but they will only house them, not adults, which will mean my children going into foster care, which I am not prepared to put them through.

There is no purchaser 'as such' yet for the house and my tenancy is about to run out, so the landlady by law has every right not to renew my tenancy if she doesn't cut it short. Even if she does go through the legalitites and get a Court order, the Council will investigate and becaues of the unpaid rent top up, will still find us IH.

I have considered the press and contacted my local papers, who said they may take it up IF and/or WHEN I actually become homeless because the picture of a family in a tent is better than the picture of a family in a house with only a possibility of being homeless. I am to contact them again if/when I am homeless. Having said that I don't really want the press attention and my picture plastered in the local papers. It would be embarassing, for my children too !!! I know it sounds petty, but as low as I am, I couldn't cope with being ridiculed too.

I wish I could camp outside our council offices, but unfortunately, at the front of their offices is a large public car park, so wouldn't be viable, especially with my children.

I have not contacted my Doctor as I have a regular appointment next month for my epilepsy so will mention it then. I don't want to waste their time when I can ask whilst I'm already there.

I called and spoke to my Housing Officer today and asked about my points as I am already on the General Housing List. I only have 48 points as I am currently adequately housed and they don't look to rehouse anyone until they have at least 110 points and mine will not go up unless I have another child. If I'm made homeless, my points won't actually be added to that score, but I will have to make a fresh application as needing to be Emergency Housed, instead of Generally housed. Why do they make it so complicated ??? She also told me that when I am homeless I will go into a B & B possibly whilst they investigate if I am IH or not and gave me the name of the one they use as it's the only one in the area. It's a joke, an old acquaintance used to work there and I called her tonight to ask about it and she was appauled. The place is usually full of substance abusers and whist I would go into one room, my children would go into a children's room, on a communal hallway ???????????? I would never sleep. However, she did say that I might be there for between 4 - 10 weeks so would at least have a roof over my head !!!!!!!!!!!! It's the worst of two evils, I'm even more concerned about this than ever now, I don't want to put my children through that, plus it's 11 miles away from my children's school with a 2 bus journey to get there. How on earth will I manage that ???? I have even more worries about this now !!! I need to get a tent !

Oakdale-minx ; thank you for that lovely offer, I may take you up on it one day if I ever get the finances to travel your way. Thank you so much.

LynzPower ; Thank you so much for your continued concern. I am calling my MP tomorrow (I called today and was told he will definitely be available to speak to me tomorrow), so hopefully he might come up with something. He's apparently good at what he does, so hopefully I will have better news. If it all goes well I will update with the news. I may PM you with my number, but if I'm honest, I find this whole thing extremely embarassing and upsetting to talk about, which is why I find this so liberating, replying on here. Please don't take it personally, I just find it very difficult and feel that if I speak to someone on the phone who sympathises, I will break down and make a fool of myself. You have been a huge help.

Lastly : I apologise for going on so much about this, and making people sad, I so worry about being a burden on people, that in itself consumes me with guilt, I'm sure you all have better things to do.

Thank you again xxx

stellagypsy

CGS - I think you should pursue the social services angle - where I work they rehouse the whole family not just the kids, maybe that is local interpretation of the rules, but that is what happens.

Beware of the tent option - we had someone doing that last year and we had to evict her and the kids from the tent. What looks good on the front page of the local newspaper does not endear you to the Council / improve your case.

The last option is to hang on till the Court throw you out then turn up at the Homeless office with your kids in tow and your belongings in a bin bag and present as "roofless" - they have to do something then, albeit a B&B or a hostel. I work in this environment everyday and see this all the time, I'm sorry in this day and age that this is the best advice I can give, but that is the size of it.

Another thought springs to mind - most councils have properties they consider "hard to let" for whatever reason (I have some!) - I tend to be a bit more flexible with the rules for applicants for these properties - you should ask if there are any of these they can let you have. Worth a try. (If you are anywhere near me in the UK I would be happy to help you in this way).

HTH, Stella xx

Tiff_2

Can't_Get_Straight wrote:

Firstly, thank you so much to everyone who replied, even if I don't mention you by name, I have read every reply twice and taken it all in, plus I made notes. It is so appreciated, you wouldn't believe. I have no family to talk to or share this with, so having you all reply to me, made me cry, but in a good way, thank you. I have felt marginally better today, mainly because I cleaned the house all day and scrubbed carpets and skirtings etc to keep my mind off of it.
I have considered the press and contacted my local papers, who said they may take it up IF and/or WHEN I actually become homeless because the picture of a family in a tent is better than the picture of a family in a house with only a possibility of being homeless. I am to contact them again if/when I am homeless. Having said that I don't really want the press attention and my picture plastered in the local papers. It would be embarassing, for my children too !!! I know it sounds petty, but as low as I am, I couldn't cope with being ridiculed too.
I wish I could camp outside our council offices, but unfortunately, at the front of their offices is a large public car park, so wouldn't be viable, especially with my children.
I have not contacted my Doctor as I have a regular appointment next month for my epilepsy so will mention it then. I don't want to waste their time when I can ask whilst I'm already there.
Thank you again xxx

Hi CGS.
Apolgies to all if I'm repeating advice and for the length of my post. It is appalling the way you have been treated - my local authority is just as bad. But you don't need to hear about my experiences.
Don't you dare apologise angel - well done you for having the guts to open up to everyone! You should know that there is so much support here for you & you deserve it.:A
I thought of a few ideas - sorry if they don't help CGS - & I'm sorry I can't be there physically to help you through it. But we're all here for you. You've come so far angel - you can't give up now.
Here are my thoughts- I'm only a newbie but I'll try my best.

-With you saying you had bank statements that show you paid your rent, it's important to get your credit record altered. I know it's just another piece of paper & you probably don't feel up to dealing with it but this will help towards you putting a public positive on your sheet. If you have the same amount coming from your bank account every month as your statement will probably show, this will go in your favour.

-Everyone should make a withdrawal of the exact rent only and this will show up on your account & be hard for landlord to refute.:money:

-Regardless of the reasons, no family should be living on the streets in this day & age. You don't see families on the street, so logically, (though not easily or ideally) there must be an answer!

- There are adult social services too which are not just for the elderly but also for the vulnerable adult. they would probably take into account the whole family.

- Tell your GP everything -NOW! Don't wait a minute longer. The stress of this is awful for you & it's amazing what can happen once your health is a concern. Your OH is already ill with depression. You should point out to everyone you come across how bad this is.

-After you've contacted your MP, try calling your local TV and radio news channels. Bad press can shift mountains. In the Carlton area down here, there have been items of desperate situations which are miraculously fixed right at the 12th hour.

-As you said, I think, that you are in a village, the local newspaper may not have as much impact. So go to the next highest town.

-When one step on the ladder doesn't work, you go up over its head.

-Is there anything keeping you in that area? A town might offer you more options work and home wise. Approach another council & tell them you are being made homeless and want to move into the area and see what they say.

-If you are on Income Support (or other benefits?), you may be entitled to a Community Care Grant in order to stop your family being at risk / maybe help move / furnish - it's worth filling in the form. This I think can also be used for moving expenses.

- Find out about your nearest Salvation Army Citadel or your parish church - this doesn't mean you have to be religious - there are many compassionate helpful people. Help groups network so they may know someone who can help if they can't.

- Also, consider camping outside social services if the council offices feels unsafe.

-To hell with waiting angel - here you go, an idea to get you some attention:
Spend most of the days sitting outside the council (but don't obstruct the pathways) with a huge card saying something along the lines of

*** DAYS TO BEING MADE HOMELESS!

WE ARE A FAMILY IN DESPERATE NEED OF A HOME.

PLEASE, CAN ANYONE HELP?

Make sure you count down the days on the sign. There are kind people out there. If someone asks you about your situation, make sure you say that though the Council know you're going to be made homeless, they won't help you until you & the children are sleeping on the pavement!

-I can't help but think that the actions of the Council are putting you & your family at risk, even if it is their government guidelines!
We should start petitions in our areas to demand that PEOPLE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THAN GUIDELINES!!! (sorry for the rant:o ) Unfortunately there isn't enough help for the ones at their lowest point & that can't be right. I've been there angel - I won't bore you with my story

-In some areas, if you're under 25, Doorway might help.

- Ask for a list of Housing Associations, some don't need a referral.

CGS, please remember these are short term solutions - the long term ones are what you work towards. The priority is to find you somewhere to live and to make sure you're on all possible benefits. As I said I'm only a newbie here but I'm thinking of you and doing some brainstorming - hang in there!
HUGE HUGS xxx

In_Search_Of_Me

How you doing CGS? Thinking of you...reading the last posts of your news it all seems like a bad joke doesent it!! I have to agree that with what you've said so far bankrupcy would seem the obvious option & would allow you a fresh start...Did you have any joy with housing associations? Any news of your husband? Hope you are all OK? Keep posting, even if just to say I'm here but still struggling...big hugs...

lizzie12_2

Goodness me...... Myheart goes out to you. Sorry cant offer any advice in this area but you have had some great advice from everyone else.

This lady has really touched my heart here and I feel pretty awful that there seems lots of red tape.......

I have a suggestion but may get shouted at...

Keep fighting on, as one door closes another will open.xxx

msmicawber

Hi CGS,

On reading your last post I thought of a few things that may be of use:

- Landlords often get valuations of their properties to raise money or remortgage, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are selling (although my heart's always in my mouth when it happens to my home). Just ask the valuer when s/he turns up as they'll often tell you.

- As regards having your photos in the paper, etc. I agree that retaining some sense of pride and self-worth becomes more and more important when you're in extremis (and dealing with any housing or benefits agencies always leaves me feeling that they think I'm scum and struggling to keep my head up). If you can't face it, don't do it.

- Do your housing points include points for your epilepsy? I believe that epilepsy can become worse when you are stressed (sorry, I'm not trying to wind you up more), but wonder whether your doctor could write a letter to the housing office confirming your diagnosis and pointing out that your current position is health threatening.

- Why not e-mail your MP now so that you can set out your position clearly in writing - it doesn't mean that you can't also visit the MP's surgery or talk on the phone tomorrow as well. They don't actually do all the work themselves (!) so having it in writing may get the ball rolling more quickly as their aides can start contacting the Council and demanding an explanation, etc. (And if you picture the aide as that character from Little Britain who fancies the Prime Minister, it might actually bring a smile to your face, which I imagine would be the first one for ages.)

Very best wishes.