Homeless keyworker :(

PasturesNew

Jowo wrote: »

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.

I am technically homeless... but I'd never have sat for all those years waiting for a council place to come up. Even 20-30 years ago I knew there were no places for single people where I lived. And it was an expensive area to buy in, or rent. And there weren't all these schemes that you have these days.

I think the OP's sat on their bottom far too long as there seems an abundance of options available to them where they are based.

Jowo_2

PasturesNew wrote: »

I am technically homeless... but I'd never have sat for all those years waiting for a council place to come up.

I think its very common knowledge that a local council has a statutory obligation to assist the homeless and that they are the gatekeepers to social housing.

I think its less well known that a local council's statutory obligations are only towards certain groups presenting themselves as homeless - many others simply receive advice.

People feel very passionate about their entitlement to social housing but despite the fact that the stock has vastly diminished, and the demand for it grows year on year, some people still have no idea how unlikely it is that they will be given a key to a council place.

Numbers double on the waiting lists every x number of years as the stock declines. As time goes on, people are living longer and the tenure is increasing as people are less likely to move out which means that there is even less churn as fewer properties become vacant.

Then you get posts from people who have split up with their partners and are baffled why, as non resident parents, they can't get an extra bedroom for the kid that visits them a few nights a week.

brit1234

e60london wrote: »

What can i do here?

Pls help.

Been in a similar situation as a key worker in London.

The best option is to look at NHS site below which has lists of accommodation open to all key workers.

Tried housing options and key worker rents but still not got back to me in over a year of waiting and been turned down for others before that. Housing options sucks. NHS housing lists link you to certain housing trusts which are extremely helpfull. Look at list below to find what is in your area.

http://www.housing.nhs.uk/TrustList.aspx?SHACode=Q36

lynzpower

Keyworker homes
What is a key worker?
Key workers are people who provide an essential public service and who qualify for sub-market rents.

Key workers include:

Nurses;
Teachers;
Firemen.
Each local authority has a different definition of a key worker and how they are eligible for housing. If you are unsure, check the Housing Options website for the eligibility criteria.

How do I apply for Origin Housing’s key worker housing?
Contact the Origin sales team for an initial chat on 020 7209 9252 or 020 7209 3689.

Origin might be able to help, heres their details

I am surprised Housing options isnt so good, Ill make a note of it, have to say some of the props on there do look as if they have been there ages.

greenmoneysaver_2

I don't want to appear mean, but. . .

After 7 years surely you realise they aren't going to house you? My friend is on maternity leave from a poorly paid job, her husband has been made redundant twice in 1 year, they cannot afford the rent and have been moved into a hostel/B&B that is pure hell, and they have 6 month old child to try and protect from the drug runners using the place. If they won't be helped find a better place the council ain't gonna look at you.

If your salary is in the bracket suggested then shame on you. I work for a charity and myself and colleagues will never be classed as key workers, and yet need to work in central london, so they adjust their lifestyle, flat share and afford the rent, and NONE of them are on that salary.

I think the keyworker status has led people to believe they will get the nice 2 bed garden flat in a lovely area at the first shot.

brit1234

lynzpower wrote: »

I am surprised Housing options isnt so good, Ill make a note of it, have to say some of the props on there do look as if they have been there ages.

It was a bit of a shock to me as well. Got turned down for 1 bed keyworker flats, they said better to go for 2 beds. Applied for that with another keyworker and were told we earn to much. Scheme seemed to discriminate against police unless you had a year or less service. Only way round it is to lie on you application which isn't really good idea when your taught integrity is non negotiable at work.

Ended up on waiting lists for other properties and nothing came up whilst waiting 18 months. Housing options also excludes a hell of a lot of keyworker accommodation out there, I would say the majority.

greenmoneysaver_2

I am glad others have found it weird. I have a friend who classed as key worker after being on lists for ages but being told she wasn't!

However as she earned £23k and couldn't afford any of them! She was driven a bit mad, as if she earned the £30k+ that was required she could have afforded to rent/buy privately.

GottaStopShopping

I cant really understand why you would be eligible for LA housing, according to another post you appear to be on £25K, I earn a lot less than that and privately rent a nice 1 bed flat on my own, before that i lived in flat shares which is even cheaper, cant see why you dont do the same. Why would you have been on the list since you were 18? Perhaps in the last 7 years you could have tried saving for a rent/mortgage deposit?

e60london

Hi all,

Thank for the speedy reply's.

I have looked at the site from strategic housing and may go through thwm to start. However, the shared ownership scheme looks like a good start for someone like me.

Also, yes, i have been with parents for a loong time on 25k. but that is 25k gross. From that, once you minus 22% tax, a student loan payment, a hsbc loan payment, car insurance, credit card payments and the travel costs/lunch money at work, it doesnt stretch far let alone allow you to pay 950 a month in private renting costs.

No ecuses though, its time to move on. Does anybody have experience with family mosaic? I have found a ncie property online and wondering if its possible to negotiate the price of the flat???

Cheers guys.

E60london

brit1234

e60london wrote: »

However, the shared ownership scheme looks like a good start for someone like me.

Shared ownership is a really bad idea especially now. Prices are higher than normal properties and really milk all your money out through mortgage, rent and service charge oftern at RPI which is a lot higher than pay increases, which is equally bad when you have public sector pay freeze. Then their are all the extra conditions that can make the property a nightmare.

If you can try to find one of these key worker accommodations where you rent a flat with teachers, nurses etc. Rents are far cheaper and it gives you chance to save a housing deposit.

Good luck