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Please help - sick with worry
naomi1010
Posts: 110 Forumite
oo Bu!!er - just typed this out and lost it all!! Doh!!
Anyway hello!
Firstly not sure if this is on the right board or not - sorry if I am wrong but sure you will point me in the right direction
My issue is quite long so please bear with me but I do desperately need advice.......
I am married with 3 children and live on the Norfolk/Suffolk border but currently live in Norfolk.
Due to circumstances my husband had to declare himself bankrupt and because of this our house is being repossesed.
We have had a lot of support/advice from the CAB who advised that we put our names down on the council list for housing which we did in July as we would lose the house at somepoint. We have been in constant contact with the council as we have put our name down on the suffolk list as we have no family in norfolk however DH is born and bred in Suffolk so all family and friends live there and our children go to school there. During the contacts with the council they repeatedly told us that they can not help us until we are given the eviction notice and also can't house us as we live in norfolk, however we are able to bid on houses in suffolk as they gave us a login etc. Again taken advice from CAB and shelter who tell us this is not true and we can put our name down where ever we wish to.
No houses ever come on the bidding list even though we know there are plenty of houses in the area that are standing empty and have been for ages (where we have listed is a small town and everyone knows everyone and no secret is safe etc so this is how we know houses are there).
Fast forward to monday just gone. we have been given notice of eviction so DH contacts the council who ask us to come in for interview wednesday which we attend and to bring any relivan paperwork with us.
This is where we need advice................
The man interviewing us firstly asks us why we are on housing list etc so we explain circumstances and how we have been given notice and he says to us 'why the hell have you left it so late to see us' so I reply that everytime we contact the council they say wait til we get the notice and so this is what we have done, I was furious as we have rang them every other week to always be told wait! Next he asked where we currently live and soon as said Norfolk he gathered up his paperwork and refused to help as we don't live in suffolk. DH said that shelter had told us otherwise so he asked what our connection to the area was so again explained and he agreed we did indeed fit the criteria. However, and this is the issue - he said outright that we wouldn't be housed as any houses that do come up are to be allocated to foreigners who are either asylum seekers and /or fleeing a war torn country and therefore their need is greater than ours.
We pointed out that they have no connections to the area and his reply was they didn't need to fill any criteria - if they request a house they get it!!!
So basically, as we are both born in the UK we have to fit alot of criteria but asylum seekers have to fit none.
We also mentioned that we know houses are standing empty and again his reply was that they are there for the asylum seekers if/when they need them and even though yes we will be homeless nothing they can do.
He did say that when we do become homeless they can put us in temp accomodation of a B&B 30 odd miles away from my children's school and 60 odd miles extra away from DH work. When I asked about the childrens' schooling his reply was not his problem, the council are not concerned with children and their health.
However, here lies another problem, eldest daughter is not DH's and she is 12, are we all allowed to sleep/share one room??
We are sick with worry and don't know what to do now, can anyone offer any advise please?
Oh and one last thing, the man said oh I see you have brought your paperwork but I can not copy it today so you will have to make an appointment for a second interview next week where I can then take copies........
Sorry this is so long and if you have got to the end of this I truely say thank you
Anyway hello!
Firstly not sure if this is on the right board or not - sorry if I am wrong but sure you will point me in the right direction
My issue is quite long so please bear with me but I do desperately need advice.......
I am married with 3 children and live on the Norfolk/Suffolk border but currently live in Norfolk.
Due to circumstances my husband had to declare himself bankrupt and because of this our house is being repossesed.
We have had a lot of support/advice from the CAB who advised that we put our names down on the council list for housing which we did in July as we would lose the house at somepoint. We have been in constant contact with the council as we have put our name down on the suffolk list as we have no family in norfolk however DH is born and bred in Suffolk so all family and friends live there and our children go to school there. During the contacts with the council they repeatedly told us that they can not help us until we are given the eviction notice and also can't house us as we live in norfolk, however we are able to bid on houses in suffolk as they gave us a login etc. Again taken advice from CAB and shelter who tell us this is not true and we can put our name down where ever we wish to.
No houses ever come on the bidding list even though we know there are plenty of houses in the area that are standing empty and have been for ages (where we have listed is a small town and everyone knows everyone and no secret is safe etc so this is how we know houses are there).
Fast forward to monday just gone. we have been given notice of eviction so DH contacts the council who ask us to come in for interview wednesday which we attend and to bring any relivan paperwork with us.
This is where we need advice................
The man interviewing us firstly asks us why we are on housing list etc so we explain circumstances and how we have been given notice and he says to us 'why the hell have you left it so late to see us' so I reply that everytime we contact the council they say wait til we get the notice and so this is what we have done, I was furious as we have rang them every other week to always be told wait! Next he asked where we currently live and soon as said Norfolk he gathered up his paperwork and refused to help as we don't live in suffolk. DH said that shelter had told us otherwise so he asked what our connection to the area was so again explained and he agreed we did indeed fit the criteria. However, and this is the issue - he said outright that we wouldn't be housed as any houses that do come up are to be allocated to foreigners who are either asylum seekers and /or fleeing a war torn country and therefore their need is greater than ours.
We pointed out that they have no connections to the area and his reply was they didn't need to fill any criteria - if they request a house they get it!!!
So basically, as we are both born in the UK we have to fit alot of criteria but asylum seekers have to fit none.
We also mentioned that we know houses are standing empty and again his reply was that they are there for the asylum seekers if/when they need them and even though yes we will be homeless nothing they can do.
He did say that when we do become homeless they can put us in temp accomodation of a B&B 30 odd miles away from my children's school and 60 odd miles extra away from DH work. When I asked about the childrens' schooling his reply was not his problem, the council are not concerned with children and their health.
However, here lies another problem, eldest daughter is not DH's and she is 12, are we all allowed to sleep/share one room??
We are sick with worry and don't know what to do now, can anyone offer any advise please?
Oh and one last thing, the man said oh I see you have brought your paperwork but I can not copy it today so you will have to make an appointment for a second interview next week where I can then take copies........
Sorry this is so long and if you have got to the end of this I truely say thank you
0
Comments
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oo Bu!!er - just typed this out and lost it all!! Doh!!
Anyway hello!
Firstly not sure if this is on the right board or not - sorry if I am wrong but sure you will point me in the right direction
My issue is quite long so please bear with me but I do desperately need advice.......
I am married with 3 children and live on the Norfolk/Suffolk border but currently live in Norfolk.
Due to circumstances my husband had to declare himself bankrupt and because of this our house is being repossesed.
We have had a lot of support/advice from the CAB who advised that we put our names down on the council list for housing which we did in July as we would lose the house at somepoint. We have been in constant contact with the council as we have put our name down on the suffolk list as we have no family in norfolk however DH is born and bred in Suffolk so all family and friends live there and our children go to school there. During the contacts with the council they repeatedly told us that they can not help us until we are given the eviction notice and also can't house us as we live in norfolk, however we are able to bid on houses in suffolk as they gave us a login etc. Again taken advice from CAB and shelter who tell us this is not true and we can put our name down where ever we wish to.
No houses ever come on the bidding list even though we know there are plenty of houses in the area that are standing empty and have been for ages (where we have listed is a small town and everyone knows everyone and no secret is safe etc so this is how we know houses are there).
Fast forward to monday just gone. we have been given notice of eviction so DH contacts the council who ask us to come in for interview wednesday which we attend and to bring any relivan paperwork with us.
This is where we need advice................
The man interviewing us firstly asks us why we are on housing list etc so we explain circumstances and how we have been given notice and he says to us 'why the hell have you left it so late to see us' so I reply that everytime we contact the council they say wait til we get the notice and so this is what we have done, I was furious as we have rang them every other week to always be told wait! Next he asked where we currently live and soon as said Norfolk he gathered up his paperwork and refused to help as we don't live in suffolk. DH said that shelter had told us otherwise so he asked what our connection to the area was so again explained and he agreed we did indeed fit the criteria. However, and this is the issue - he said outright that we wouldn't be housed as any houses that do come up are to be allocated to foreigners who are either asylum seekers and /or fleeing a war torn country and therefore their need is greater than ours.
We pointed out that they have no connections to the area and his reply was they didn't need to fill any criteria - if they request a house they get it!!!
So basically, as we are both born in the UK we have to fit alot of criteria but asylum seekers have to fit none.
We also mentioned that we know houses are standing empty and again his reply was that they are there for the asylum seekers if/when they need them and even though yes we will be homeless nothing they can do.
He did say that when we do become homeless they can put us in temp accomodation of a B&B 30 odd miles away from my children's school and 60 odd miles extra away from DH work. When I asked about the childrens' schooling his reply was not his problem, the council are not concerned with children and their health.
However, here lies another problem, eldest daughter is not DH's and she is 12, are we all allowed to sleep/share one room??
We are sick with worry and don't know what to do now, can anyone offer any advise please?
Oh and one last thing, the man said oh I see you have brought your paperwork but I can not copy it today so you will have to make an appointment for a second interview next week where I can then take copies........
Sorry this is so long and if you have got to the end of this I truely say thank you
Exactly what is your question?Be happy, it's the greatest wealth
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can the housing dept tell me that they can't house me even though empty houses are there but are being kept 'just incase an asylum seeker needs it'
can a 12 year old stay in the same room as hubby??
and also any advice as to what do I do next????0 -
Ever heard of squatting if the worst comes to the worst.:D
Another thing that may help is contact your MP.make the most of it, we are only here for the weekend.
and we will never, ever return.0 -
lol, funnily enough someone did say go to one of the houses that are empty and do just that:eek:
MP is a good idea will look into that.
It just seems unjust that never claiming benefits etc that just once we need help and not getting anywhere but as said if I was seeking asylum I would get help like a shot0 -
lol, funnily enough someone did say go to one of the houses that are empty and do just that:eek:
MP is a good idea will look into that.
It just seems unjust that never claiming benefits etc that just once we need help and not getting anywhere but as said if I was seeking asylum I would get help like a shot
Is there no family close by who can help out temporarily?Be happy, it's the greatest wealth0 -
welshmoneylover, while agree with what you said about it being my fault etc this is not really helping is it? I unfortunately was made redundant as the recession started and no job was to be had hence falling behind with mortgage. Not what we wanted but had no choice and asking for help has taken a lot of our pride away. I and partner have worked since leaving school 17 years ago so we have paid our taxes etc and now find ourselves needing help and can not get it0
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Is there any reason that you're not looking at privately rented property?0
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also, just to say where we are listed is a sleepy suffolk town and asylum seekers etc hardly flock to this area so the houses that are empty (approx 10) would take probably years to fill yet I need help now but can't get it just incase0
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oldernotwiser, we have looked but rent prices are very high - more than our mortgage was so can not afford to do this0
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