Homeless keyworker :(

e60london

Hey guys,

I'm 25 and living with my family but have been bidding with my local authority for some time to get a flat through them (roughly 7 years!). Now, family want me out and i am rushing to get info on a key worker scheme going with some of the housing groups (stadium, genesis etc.). I can't help think that my local borough must be able to house me temporarily if i present to their offices as a homeless key worker.

The website of one housing group said it liaises with the local borough to temporarily house homeless people.

What can i do here?

Pls help.

Jowo_2

I am not aware of any obligation of the local council to treat you any differently because of your key worker occupation though I'm aware there are various homeownership schemes for someone of your status. Their website may explain how they handle homelessness applications.

Read the Shelter website's section on homelessness to understand the local councils obligation to you and fill in a homelessness application with them. The crisis website is a good source of information for the single homeless.

Why can't you find yourself private accommodation and rent a property from a landlord? A previous post indicates you earn 25k per year and I expect that unless you are disabled or have children, your local council will probably just advise you to find somewhere to rent.

PasturesNew

You're not homeless though, you're expecting somebody else to take on your responsibilities for you and give you somewhere to live.

You need to buy the paper on the way home from work this week, turn to the back pages to the "Flats to Rent" section. Maybe your parents have already been looking/hoping (I know mine have as I've caught them).

Running_Horse

Do Timpson staff and locksmiths get priority for housing?

lynzpower

Hang on, why dont you look on https://www.housingoptions.co.uk

There are LOADS of options on there under intermediate rent - do they not exist then?

I spoke to NOrthwick park the other day, they do have some spaces available there, you might want to give them a call if the location suits you?

Jowo_2

Here is another link

http://www.londonstrategichousing.com/

Looks like you can get a room in a shared property for key workers from £380 including CT and bills, or a studio from around £440 pcm, excluding CT and bills. There must be other websites, including housing associations, dedicated to renting to key workers.

PasturesNew

Jowo wrote: »

Here is another link

http://www.londonstrategichousing.com/

Looks like you can get a room in a shared property for key workers from £380 including CT and bills, or a studio from around £440 pcm, excluding CT and bills. There must be other websites, including housing associations, dedicated to renting to key workers.

Cor, they're cheap: http://www.londonstrategichousing.com/article.asp?id=1020

£120/week for a lovely shiny studio
Not just for keyworkers, but for anybody who is economically active.

I wish they had places that nice/affordable where I live. Why aren't they all snapped up already?

Jowo_2

You can do an NHS accommodation search at this website which comes up with up to a 100 results, some restricted to the trust themselves but the vast majority open to any NHS employee or keyworker. Single rooms from £75 per week, including rooms close to Sloane square for £412 per month. Bargain.

http://www.housing.nhs.uk/

http://www.chg.org.uk/find-a-home/rent-a-home/key-worker-rented-homes/doughty-house

lynzpower

PasturesNew wrote: »

Cor, they're cheap: http://www.londonstrategichousing.com/article.asp?id=1020

£120/week for a lovely shiny studio
Not just for keyworkers, but for anybody who is economically active.

I wish they had places that nice/affordable where I live. Why aren't they all snapped up already?

There is a lot of new build here!

Most of these started out as "executive" but the credit crunch has allowed normal people to be able to afford them now!

Great innit. :j

Fire_Fox

e60london wrote: »

Hey guys,

I'm 25 and living with my family but have been bidding with my local authority for some time to get a flat through them (roughly 7 years!). Now, family want me out and i am rushing to get info on a key worker scheme going with some of the housing groups (stadium, genesis etc.). I can't help think that my local borough must be able to house me temporarily if i present to their offices as a homeless key worker.

The website of one housing group said it liaises with the local borough to temporarily house homeless people.

What can i do here?

Pls help.

You will get placed in a hostel (full of hardcore homeless people IYSWIM) or B&B if the council take responsibility for you. Rent somewhere just like everybody else does.
http://www.spareroom.co.uk/

Jowo_2

PasturesNew wrote: »

You're not homeless though, you're expecting somebody else to take on your responsibilities for you and give you somewhere to live.

To be fair to the OP, the definition of being homeless isn't about being on the street and it can include those temporarily living with friends and family.

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/homelessness/what_is_homelessness

The council's definition of homelessness is not having anywhere to stay in the next 28 days so if the OP has been served notice by his family, they can approach the local council.

Their keyworker status has no influence on the outcome. Unless they are classed as being in priority need (such as being pregnant or dependents , they are unlikely to be offered accommodation.

"Councils don't have a legal responsibility to provide accommodation for people who are not in priority need. The council only has a legal responsibility to give you advice and assistance about finding somewhere else to live...In areas where there is a lot of demand for housing (such as London and other major cities) you are unlikely to be offered any accommodation at all. If you are already in emergency accommodation provided by the council, you will probably be asked to leave."

http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/homelessness/help_from_the_council/what_the_council_will_check/priority_need

The OP seems to have confused their key worker status which gives them certain housing privileges with being able to leapfrog up the council waiting list when they are classed as homeless when in fact there is no obligation at all for the local council to house them if they are a healthy, single working adult with no dependents.