Confused over social worker advice re housing

Viberduo

Sorry if this is wrong section.

I am autistic and also have dyspraxia and depression and anxiety(go hand in hand to be honest)

I live in a good flat which is very bad maintained to the point the ceiling is ready to collapse, no plaster in bathroom, every kitchen cupboard broken, no heating in bedroom or hall for 2 years, no communal lighting so need a torch and many people have fallen, drug dealer neighbour, constant postal thefts etc.

Was at welfare rights earlier to get help with DLA application and they mentioned I would be entitled to a council house. Then went to a local church that gives meals to people and they have social workers and the social worker whom I talked to before said I should make myself intentionally homeless to get a council house! I did not like the idea of this as it feels dishonest but need to move, she also said even if I find somewhere else on own to use my deposit as final months rent as my landlord will try and keep it.


What do people on here think?

BigAunty

You can contact the Environmental health department to assess the property and they can compel the landlord to make repairs. Of course, some landlord's will serve notice on the tenant in retaliation.

Virtually anyone in the UK who is a British citizen can apply for social housing - few get it because of high demand and short supply. It is prioritised to certain needy groups and there are very few groups indeed who are automatically 'entitled' to a council house. There's nothing to stop you from applying to the local council and housing associations - if you are disabled or living in poor conditions, you may get more points.

In fact, in England, the rules changed in November that means that councils in England do not actually have to give the homeless in priority need (such as those with kids or disabilities) social housing anymore, they can now just offer a private 12 month tenancy. Are you in England?

To understand how social housing allocation works, look at the Shelter website. They also have a section on 'homelessness' which explains how the local council assesses applicants for 'intentional homelessness' - for example, someone who claims to be homeless and expects help from the council will not get it if the council believe that they have left a property that they didn't need to (therefore, they are considered to have made themselves 'intentionally homeless'.

I don't think the social worker was telling you to make yourselves 'intentionally homeless' as that would mean the local council would not help you. I think perhaps she was trying to explain about this trap whereby people leave properties that aren't suitable for them only to find that this means the council won't help them.

EDIT - I think you are based in Scotland from your historic posts? You can ignore my paragraph on social housing allocation in England. Look up the Shelter Scotland site which will explain how to make your landlord undertake repairs, social housing allocation, etc.

midnight_express

No one is "entitled" to a council house. If you make yourself intentionally homeless you will get no help with housing. You can contact the council and ask about joining the waiting list. It depends on where you live how long you have to wait . It could anything from a few months to several years. You are far more likrly to get a small flat on a ghetto estate than a house. Most of the decent council properties were sold off years ago.

RAS

Do not make yourslef intentionally homeless as Councils are not required to house anyone who is intentionally homeless.

DO ring your local Councils Environmental Health Officer and ask them to come and look as They can kick the landlord, may declare the place unfit.

Also go to the Council and get yourself on the housing list. You need to do that as a starting point.