Where do I start ? no point going on !

Snaggles

Hope you're okay CGS. Bumping to keep thread near top.

Jessiepig

Its very worrying that we have heard nothing. Hopefully it just means she cannot get access to the internet.
Lets hope she will be here soon

Tiff_2

Hi lynzpower,
Thank you for explaining how things work housing wise. It was interesting. It's a shame that we are not even told how the 'system' works, let alone how to change it.

Hi CGS - hope you're busy taking action & following up. Update us please when you can, we're missing you.

newleafer

Hi thought I would give this another bump.

HI CGS hope your ok and that you will be on to let us know how you are and if you need any help in areas that we might be able to help. Or talk to lynzpower she seems to know a fair bit.

newleafer

I hope none of you are annoyed that I've bumped this again, but I am quite concerned we haven't heard from CGS.

NW

Hello

I was thinking the same yesterday. Please let us know how you are doing CGS, if you are watching. It doesn't matter if you just need to let off steam and have a good rant, it is what we are here for. If you come back to this thread after some time because you have not been able to get access please still let us know how you are getting on. I am new to the forum however I feel it is a community and everyone is there for each other, because we choose to be, not because we have to be.

Talk to us, let those that can, help. We can all learn from the answers here and pass on that knowledge to others, one big learning circle.

I am concerned now that I am sounding preachy, sorry, just concerned and want you to say you are OK.

Hello
x

msmicawber

I hope nobody minds me bumping this. I just keep hoping she gets in touch, or that someone can give some really solid advice.

I hope things are improving for you, CGS, and that you just haven't had time to post.

Can't_Get_Straight

THank you so much again to eveyone.

I have been to see my Local MP, my local Councillor, my Local Housing Officer and a Solicitor who deals with housing denials with the Local Authority.

Sorry if this is garbled, not too much sleep this week, very upset children still, and worry are all getting to me a bit.

MP took all my scribbled notes and a statement and said he would get back to me after consulting with a colleague and speaking to the Council, not heard back yet.

My Housing Officer (who now I just think is a complete and utter heartless B*tch, sorry) just sat smugly and said the usual 'on paper I am IH and therefore will not get help. This woman has balls of Iron I swear and she's the Senior Housing Officer too. To make things worse my Landlady wrote to the Council now officially admitting she is selling her house. This would be a good thing except she stated in the letter that the reason she is selling is because I have not paid the top up (that the Housing Officer said would be paid) which has put her in debt, so again, the onus is on me and officially that makes me IH.

My Local Councillor spoke mostly about himself at our appointment, whilst checking his watch continually and telling me about his Athletes Foot problem returning !!!!!! I did try to get past his ego to strain my situation, even in tears at one point (how embarassing) so he took some notes and again said he would get back to me, nothing heard yet.

The Solicitor I spoke to said I could fight their aregument about my housing officer saying my top up would be paid, but as it's my word against hers I wouldn't likely win, and therefore the Court would still deem me IH as the top up would be deemed as my responsibility and I didn't pay. He asked me to go back once I have answers from my MP and local Councillor.

I am still holding on by a string and holding me children together the best I can. As for my OH family, they are not what you would call close-knit and are only interested in helping him, not his kids.

I have called Social Services, but again I keep getting the same reaction, that they will house my children as an emergency, but not me !!! I can't get a different answer.

Again I have taken notes from you all, but most of all I have taken your time and for that I am sorry.

I guess I just keep hoping for a miracle to happen or someone to come and say here's the solution, this is what to do !!! I know it won't but hope is all I have.

What really upset me at my appointment with my Housing Officer was, I know there is a waiting list for other people who are homeless and in a B & B, but I live so far out, no-one wants to move here really, there's nothing here, it's a tiny village. Yet there's a very small estate behind my children's school of about 25 houses (Housing Association) and one of them has been empty for about 6 weeks, yet when I mentioned this to my housing Officer, she told me it would be filled by someone who was already homeless in about 6 weeks. When I mentioned it would be perfect and that people generally don't want to move here (I looked at the wanted list she gave me and transfer list etc) she said that's life, you'll end up somewhere you don't like too I expect, if you were ever accepted.

I asked to speak to her Manager, but apparently I cannot speak to anyone higher until I am homeless, get refused officially, then ask for a review, then I can ask to have it reviewed by a Manager. This system has gone mad I'm sure !!!!!

I am now awaiting news from my MP on his findings and my egotistical Counsillor who I'm sure is far too much in love with himself to worry about someone like me !!!

Chin held up for the moment, slowly sagging though, my children are what's keeping me going, and knowing that you are all here sending me good vibes to help. You really don't know what a lifeline this is for me. If no-one ever replied to me, I would be isolated for sure. I just know that I can turn on the PC and someone will have replied to wish me well or offer advice and I am so relieved when I see them.

Again thank you all for replying and bumping, if I win the lottery I will be sure to let you all know first and repay accordingly.

Again, must make some kind of order of these notes and put them with the rest for the next appointment.

Thank you and god bless x

A_Nice_Englishman

Thanks for the update CGS. As you will have read lots of people here were worried and waiting to hear from you. It's good to see you are still hanging in there and doing everything you can to resolve the problem.

I'm afraid I don't have any solid advice for you at the moment but I'm sure others will be along with some soon. I hope the following story gives you some comfort.

The daughter of a friend lived with her father and baby. She was not getting on too well with him and wanted to get her own place. As she was unemployed it was very difficult to find anywhere to rent privately so she applied to the Council.

They turned her down initially as they said she was adequately housed. Her father wrote to the Council to say their relationship had irretrievably broken down, living with her had become intolerable and giving her until the end of the month to move out. (This wasn't quite true - he wouldn't have thrown herand the baby out onto the street!)

Still the Council wouldn't house her, but at the end of the month they did put her in a hostel. She had to stay there for a couple of weeks but then, as if by magic, a Housing Association house became available in the area she wanted.

I heard later that the rehousing office make it as difficult as they can for people in order to satisfy themselves that they really are homeless. As well as the above example, they offer single homeless people B&B in a city 30 miles away. If they take it they assume they are genuinely homeless. If they turn it down they assume they are trying it on.

Perhaps your Council has the same attitude. I think it stinks but apparently they do have a lot of timewasters who are not genuine. It's a shame they make it so hard for the genuine homeless.

judi24

Wellcome back. There have certainly been a number of very worried DFW's waiting for you to post. So thanks for the update.
Again I have no real advice to give - there are many more knowlwdgable people around that can help you decide on your next course of action.
I just wanted to say that children are amazing in thier ability to adapt to change and still come out smiling. As long as they have your love they'll get through this, So take some comfort in thier strength - thing will get better.