Daughter's 20 year old friend homeless, what help is there?

Wee_Willy_Harris

Approach the Council. She is being made homeless from her parents (parental asked to leave) and is staying with you as a temporary solution, so this shouldn't effect her homelessness. However, even if they accept that she is homeless, she may not be considered to be a priority so the council may have no DUTY to house her. However, even as a non priority, they do have to give her reasonable assistance. This could be a priority on their list, help with a bond etc. As a non priority, they have no DUTY to provide temp accommodation such as B+B. Frankly, this is probably a good thing as the B+B providers tend to feast from the bottom of societies barrel so, frankly, she would be sharing accommodation with drug addicts, prostitutes, kiddy fiddlers and thieves. It's also frighteningly expensive. Unfortunately, housing is in such short supply that there are no short cuts anymore. But go to the council as a first port of call and see what they can do. But, please, go with an open mind and a realistic attitude.

gravitytolls

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

I certainly didn't intend to "gang up" on the OP.

Personally, I would think it far easier (which is why I suggested it) to lend this young woman a hundred pounds or so for a deposit rather than trying to shoehorn another person into a 3 bedroom property which already houses 6 adults!

A hundred ppounds or so, you're jesting surely?

Oldernotwiser

gravitytolls wrote: »

A hundred ppounds or so, you're jesting surely?

I was assuming the young woman would have some money to put in as well! We are also talking about Manchester which has some very inexpensive areas to live in.

ash4becks

gravitytolls wrote: »

A hundred ppounds or so, you're jesting surely?

the deposit for a 300 month flat was 750 with admin charges and that was for the cheapest flat i could get that was unfurnished aswell, and btw she might be able to get a comunity care grant as she would be starting out under the resettlement, but the letter of parents is inportant and keep all documentation and appeal if you dont get it 1st rime and always ask for double what is the bare essentails because thats all you will get i got 600 i got a cooker , fridge not allowed a frezzer silly i no and carpets down was winter so had to and some second hand furniture knifes folks and plates and i was still short, tell her to put away money now so she doesnt do what i did and live of credit cards to feed myslef etc

Oldernotwiser

ash4becks wrote: »

the deposit for a 300 month flat was 750 with admin charges and that was for the cheapest flat i could get that was unfurnished aswell, c

Surely that included the first month's rent as well as the deposit? The person in question isn't likely to be looking to rent a whole, unfurnished flat for herself.

ash4becks

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Surely that included the first month's rent as well as the deposit? The person in question isn't likely to be looking to rent a whole, unfurnished flat for herself.

that was a private 1 bed flat yes that was the rent and deposit wasnt nice either full of damp slugs and snails worms walls were black in bedroom and bathroom:eek: but that was the only thing i could have at the time as coucil wouldnt take me on as homeless sometimes needs must i had £40 a month to live on after my rent was payed for bills and food , and funished can just mean a bed sofa and sometimes not even a sofa depending on landloard

the money was a cash advance not great but i dont regret it that give me freedom but why is a 1 bed flat to herslef so bad from your point of view thats what she would get if in council and you get nothing in there thats for sure, they rip all the carpets up weather in good condtion or not which is a massive bugbear of mine if there pefectly fine you should be given that option if you want them or not

ONW iam guessing its a long time ago you setup a home from scratch mine was only 3 years ago i still have very few things that are new even with the little extra i recive with dla

Doom_and_Gloom

lalli_pickle wrote: »

Why does she need a council house? Does she not have a job?

To rent a room in a house costs around £40-50 a week down south and there's usually a lot advertised in the Friday Ad or local paper.

I live 'down south' (south east) and a room in a place is at least £300/month (around £70/wk). That is a lot different from £40-50 that you are saying.
Even if it is up north so cheaper do you think a girl of 20 should be looking at a house share with people she doesn't know?
I'm 21 and if I were healthy (I'm disabled) I wouldn't live with people I didn't know even if my parents kicked me out (impossible as I live with my partner but just saying if that were the case etc). It's not something a person should be forced into in my opinion. If she is working part time council housing could help - most 20 year olds on minimum wage, or just over, working full time still need help in most areas - it's not really a livable wage in most areas. Council housing isn't just for those that work. Unfortanatly it is very hard to get a council house in most areas (we asked but got told we wern't priority even though I'm disabled and can't work).

If the OP can put this girl up for a while it could help her a lot more. OP ask for a contrabution to the household, something like keep, to help. A;sp try and help her get a place if possible - council (housing benefit) or private (local housing alowence) would be good for her and you.

hermum

If the girl is healthy she will be deemed non priority by the council so won't be offered temp accommodation. The Housing Adviser will advise on how to secure private rented & depending on their policies may be able to help with a bond for deposit & a loan for the first months rent. Will also be able to help her with HB forms & see if she's entitled to HB.
There could be another agency locally who will help with deposits etc that the council will put her in contact with.
She will need to have a letter from the parents, the homeless officer will contact them & depending on what reason for asking her to leave they give she could be found intentionally homeless. The investigation could be done and dusted within an hour or so.
A shared house-flat would probably be the only option financially for the girl.

kingfisherblue

Is there a young people's housing forum in the area? She mighht be able to get a place there. She would have her own room, but there are common areas such as a lounge and kitchen. There are also staff to help with employment, family problems, etc. If this girl is vulnerable, then it sounds as though this sort of support would be important.

LondonDiva

Not sure why people are looking at rates for a one bedroom flat. Surely, the easiest way to get her into a home asap is through a flatshare?

Especially if she's not working at the moment, she will need to realistically consider whether she will be able to afford the full rent when she gets a job.

I'm looking at gumtree and there are flatshares going(http://manchester.gumtree.com/manchester/5023_1.html) at the moment from £43 pw for a double bedroom in a 4 bedroom house or £64pw for another double bedroom in a 4 bedroom house(inc all bills and internet access).

With no savings, deposit etc, she needs to get a realistic idea about what home she can afford quickly or at least while she gets herself together.