Housing options. Legally homeless

StrugglingApprentice

Hey all. Last time i posted on this forum i got some really helpful advice, so here i am again.

Never in a typical situation it seems.

Back in March this year i was evicted. I had been in the care of the local authority until i turned 18, then stayed on under an excluded occupier tenancy agreement.

Long story short, i was evicted due to numerous rows with the landlord which got very heated and nearly came to blows several times.

Since then ive been sofa surfing and recently i lost my job which was an apprenticeship. Stress made me ill and my grades were slipping, mainly due to the constant worry and spending nights sleeping in the car. At least i still have that, right?

I have since secured another job which is due to start next week, but i still have nowhere secure to live. The council are stating that i am not "priority need" and im not a care leaver because of my age.

I have absolutely zero credit and very little money with no way to get a loan.

What can i do?

Thanks in advance.

pinkshoes

Have you spoken to Shelter?

StrugglingApprentice

Shelter said the local authority should help, but theyre saying they dont have any obligation to do anything as im not a priority.

BigAunty

How old are you?

Are you disputing whether or not you are a priority?

StrugglingApprentice

I am 24 with no kids.

I am disputing it, on the grounds that i have employment due to start very soon, and the fact that i am a care leaver.

Also, i am doing another apprenticeship. The confusion is whether it counts as full time education or not. If it does then i qualify as priority under the care leaver bit, if not, its discretionary because of my age.

Sarahspangles

Have you tried a rent a room scheme?

StrugglingApprentice

I am looking, but id rather a secure tenancy. Would do as temporary but not permanent.

Sarahspangles

There are two reasons for suggesting a rent a room scheme. Firstly it is inexpensive, so you can start to save for a deposit and some nice things once you have a flat. Secondly it sounds as though you would have difficulty providing references at the moment because of your previous bad experience. A few months sharing would mean you could get a reference from someone.

StrugglingApprentice

True

I think i may have written house share off, because of how easy it is to lose the tenancy. All it took was a few heated arguements and boom there goes my home for over 10 years

At least if i get on the council, pay rent on time and keep myself to myself i dont answer to anyone.

Sarahspangles

I think it is unlikely though that you would get priority, as they have told you. So that's not likely to be an option.

StrugglingApprentice

The bit that shelter said is open to dispute (mainly) is the leaving care part. Because my previous home was a foster care placement to begin with, then became a rental agreement, i may still qualify as a care leaver.

I have been advised to speak to the leaving care team i was under, as i have been in education for nearly 2 years as an apprentice and they state that care leavers under 25 in education are priority.

Its so confusing. Shelter were very useful, but most of the info i got was "maybe" "if" and such. Very grateful for the advice and it gave me something to look at.

Now i need to find somewhere that will loan money for advance rent and deposit, or find somewhere local to park XD