Homelessness application

sassy_one

Hi

Quick question, on behalf of someone I am trying to help.

They are a couple, ones 21 others 18.
He is in priority need due to mental health problems (mental health services letter confirm such)
If he is, and on a chance she isn't classed as in priority need, will the council be under duty to house both together anyway as they are presenting as a couple?

I'd think they would have to be?
Please advise -
Also where will they be placed temporary? Bed and breakfast?

BigAunty

Look at the Shelter website to understand the homelessness assessment process - its slightly different in Scotland so make you choose the right Shelter site. Shelter provide expert advice on the local council's obligation.

And yes, the homeless can be placed in interim accommodation, such as a hostel or B&B before more settled accommodation is found. In England, this can include a single offer of a reasonable private tenancy which is classed as settled housing - last November the Govt scrapped the obligation in England for councils to offer social housing to the homeless.

AFAIK, mental health issues do not automatically mean a council will class the homeless applicant as being in priority need and have an obligation to be assisted - they identify who is vulnerable on a case by case basis.

BitterAndTwisted

Housing one person in a B&B or one bedroomed flat is the same cost as housing a couple. Even people in priority need are entitled to be in a relationship.

Where they will be housed is entirely dependent on what housing-stock is available when or if their homelessness application is accepted. Most housing is allocated according to need. Those actually homeless or at imminent risk of it are given higher priority. Those with children higher than those without.

Is there any chance that the council could consider that they have made themselves "voluntarily homeless"? Either by leaving a property without having gone through the formal repossession process or having been evicted for being in rent-arrears?

If you could explain a but more how this couple have found themselves homeless, perhaps more specific answers can be given.

sassy_one

Both were living with parents up until they discovered the relationship, both have been asked to leave which they did.
They have been living in guesthouses for the past 3 months with funds from one who works.

However, the prices of guesthouses have gone up slightly the last few weeks and their money won't cover them to stay in places now.
They have attempted to try to find places to rent but the deposit is too high and most require references, which clearly they don't have.

One is diagnosed with severe clinical depression and diagnosed with Aspergers Syndrome with a active learning disability.
Obviously one has a local connection

They have no one else they can turn to or ask for help.
They have tried looking to hostels too but obviously these are single sex and don't put up couples.

There is possible suspension that the girl may be pregnant (obviously unconfirmed at this stage) therefore placing them both in priority need.

What is likely to happen upon a homeless application as they are both clearly worried about the process and I am not clear on it to advise.

BitterAndTwisted

If they are financing their stay at this guest-house have they applied for LHA to contribute to the costs?

And no, being pregnant won't give them any more "priority need" than a couple without any children.

Have they looked into moving into a double bedroom in shared accommodation? I suspect that would be cheaper than a guest-house.

If they can't come up with rent in advance and a deposit why are their families not prepared to bear that cost?

theartfullodger

If they are staying in guesthouses they aren';t homeless are they?

You do appreciate that if placed in temporary accomodation that may well not be this sort of place they, you or me would wish to spend even a single night.

I doubt many councils will be willing to spend taxpayers money either advising them or housing them.

That they think they are priority need is interesting: What matters is what the housing officer thinks about them being priority (or not..)

Have they "presented as homeless" to the local council (or council if they have various places they would like to live??/ local connections??)

Have they had a decision?? (Assuming the answer was "go away and/or find private let) Was it in wrihttps://www.google.co.uk/ting (if not request it in writing). The written decision "No" says why & details the appeal process against the decision: During that appeal council may (but may not) temporarily house them.

See here..
http://england.shelter.org.uk/get_advice/homelessness/help_from_the_council_when_homeless
- for the rules over councils helping the homeless..

Their best bet is get jobs & make things up with families: The government is making it harder & harder for people to get help or benefits for most things: People need to realise this or end up on't streets & it's cold out there... (If they want to be safe). That's my practical suggestion, not my view of what should happen ...

Cheers!

BigAunty

sassy-one wrote: »

What is likely to happen upon a homeless application as they are both clearly worried about the process and I am not clear on it to advise.

As per my previous post, Shelter provides free expert advice that details the exact process. It's slightly different between England/Wales and Scotland. They have free helplines for the homeless and some drop in centres so should give them a call.

The local council website should also provide details on their homelessness process and at the very least the office which accepts the application. The good thing about the Shelter site is that it explains what the council should do (as some councils are notorious for not following their statutory obligations) so this knowledge from Shelter could stop them from being fobbed off.

No-one here can tell you anything other than the general process they can expect, not the definate outcome for this couple - the council assess each application on a case by case basis.

It will depend on housing stock (supply), homelessness applications (demand) and the location as some factors as to whether they qualify for help, get temporary accommodation or go straight into settled accommodation (1 year private tenancy or social housing).

theartfullodger

As big aunty says.

Shelter helpline is 0808 800 4444.

It is not just for the homeless - rather any housing matter - mortgage repossession, landlord (council, housing association or private) problems etc etc.

When approaching council must be clear about difference between going on housing waiting list (fine but years of waiting) & "presenting as homeless": if talking to council do so in a cheerful, calm, patient & polite manner or council will delight in booting you out.

Cheers!

carefullycautious

How sad that a relationship between this man and woman has seen them thrown out of their homes.

Have you talked with the Aspergers society/and or mental health team to see if there is any further help for this couple. Its a shame that what should be an exciting time for them is marred by non support from family.

From what you say they appear to be trying desperately to keep a roof over their heads.

I hope there is some help out there for them.

Have just found The Brandon Trust Website go there and have a look as it promotes and helps people with learning disabilities to live how they want.

Hump

Their first issue will be to convince the council that they are a couple. They should expect to be given a rough ride on this unless they can demonstrate a financial interdependence i.e. joint benefit claim, joint bank account etc.

They can expect the council to want to speak with both sets of parents as it's unlikely that they will be deemed as 'homeless' from the guesthouse - much more likely they will be deemed as homeless from the parents.

The woman must get a pregnancy test ASAP, her GP or certain youth projects should be able to assist. Being pregnant and living with the father means that the council do not need to consider the vagaries of the Pereira test, it also means that the council must accommodate the two of them together as it's entirely reasonable to expect the father of the unborn child to reside with the pregnant mother. The pregnancy is an automatic priority need classification, whereas mental health is always subjective. If pregnant then the council cannot place them in a B&B except in an emergency and then only for a maximum of 6 weeks - this would probably mean they get placed in a hostel (a family hostel which are not usually direct access) or self contained interim accommodation - whatever it is it will be likely quite grotty and expensive if one of them is in work - could also be miles away from where they want to be.