Desperate for council transfer

kirstie100

I'm a single mum, with three children, 19, 14 & 8mths. We have a two bed second floor flat with no lift or wheelchair access.
My eldest daughter is having chemotherapy and will soon require paliative care and also now uses a wheelchair as often as possible. Obviously, I can't carry her in a wheelchair up stairs and time is not on our side. I have supplied our housing authority with all the medical information they need, but they have only moved us up one level in priority, which reflects a 7 year waiting list. We are also overcrowded and have been waiting for a transfer for 16 years.
I have to get us moved within weeks. Does anyone know of any way to get my housing authority to listen to me?
Any advice is greatly appreciated.

greenhill

Bless your hearts x

If I was you I'd contact my MP & see if they can help.

sjlou

So sorry to hear about your daughter. You must all be having a tough time.
Might be worth speaking to your local politican/counciler, they might be able to help you.

Good luck.

BigAunty

Have you also looked into a mutual exchange? Perhaps there's someone out there wanting to downsize from a family size property.

namecheck

Horrible situation for the OP to be in.

I would have thought contacting your MP ASAP is the best idea. There may be people who would be willing to transfer but it's a bit of a long shot and you do not have the time to investigate this possibility.

Do hope your MP is a good one.

immoral_angeluk

Also contact the media?
Speak to the council, they may be able to assist you with finding a private rented property sooner and possibly be able to assist with rent deposits etc depending on your council.

Dontknowanymore

What about the macmillan people, can they not give it a try, also have a word with SHELTER 08088004444, you have to keep phoning until you get through, badger the council, phone them every day if you have to, I really hope you get something sorted out soon, I'm so sorry your daughter and your family are going through this x

mynameistallulah

immoral_angeluk wrote: »

Also contact the media?
Speak to the council, they may be able to assist you with finding a private rented property sooner and possibly be able to assist with rent deposits etc depending on your council.

What good would speaking to the media do, apart from getting the LA's backs up? They cannot magic a house out of thin air, and given that the OP needs one in a matter of weeks, that is what would need to happen.

OP, you need to look at private rentals. Whilst this will inevitably be more expensive, you can apply for help towards the rent through Local Housing Allowance. If you have not already, you should also look into claiming DLA and ESA for your daughter, and Carers Allowance and Income Support for yourself. This should give you more than enough income to cover any shortfall in the LHA rate.

poppysarah

Is there no chance of using a downstairs room as a bedroom? Or getting a stair lift fitted?

Speak to someone at the hospital and ask for help. There are people there to come out and assess this sort of thing.

pmlindyloo

poppysarah wrote: »

Is there no chance of using a downstairs room as a bedroom? Or getting a stair lift fitted?

Speak to someone at the hospital and ask for help. There are people there to come out and assess this sort of thing.

I believe the OP lives in a second floor flat so it isn't about access to bedroom as far as I am aware.

I believe the problem is with getting to the flat with a wheelchair as there is no lift.

poppysarah

Oops didn't read that bt.

Still find support at the hospital - there will be someone who can help.

MP is an option - although local councillors too can be useful.