Homelessness in Gravesham - Discrimination?

[Deleted User]

Thank you for that. I have asked if they are saying that a homeless person can never be anything other than a band C. No answer as yet.

This does restrict the properties a person can be offered. So it looks like because we are homeless, our needs can be ignored (if our priority can't be increased). The best we can hope for is another sink estate. If offered anything at all. Most properties go to those with B and A priority.

We should at least have our banding reassessed - I do believe we meet band B criteria which would give us more chance with a permanent property. But I seem to be blocked on getting that done.

But nothing I can do. The legal people I spoke to said that its not discrimination, and there's no legal aid for housing issues like this, so no one with legal expertise will advise me. I have tried. So bit depressed.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I will try another person in the housing department to see if they can clarify their position but it looks like there is nothing that can be done. Its better than being on the streets.

TheBanker

Can I make a suggestion - don't focus or use the word "discrimination" which implies you believe the council are treating you differently to another family who are in the same situation because of your ethnic background, gender, disability etc. And implies that someone has deliberately decided to do this. Maybe your use of this word is focusing the council on proving they have not discriminated, rather than reassessing your needs based on facts and evidence?

I think the Citizens Advice are experienced in dealing with this kind of problem - but come at it from the angle of the council have made an error or haven't fully understood your situation, rather than them discriminating against you. Also speak to your local councillors who can't change council decisions but can make sure the council are treating you correctly in terms of the rules and policies.

Good luck.

pinkshoes

I don't see any discrimination.

I just see a lot of people wanting housing, and not enough housing.

Your current housing situation may not be ideal, but you do have a roof over your head. The expression "Beggars can't be choosers" springs to mind... Something is better than nothing?

Are you working? If not, could you not consider moving to another area of the UK which could meet your housing needs?

Do you not have any family, friends or the father of your kids that could help?

[Deleted User]

It has been confirm by the housing officer that:

The Housing Act is legislation the local authority have to follow so applicants and their families who are in priority need are not street homeless and are given adequate accommodation if accepted through a homeless application. Legislation also states that these families are prioritised for housing, which is why a priority band C is awarded.

Everybody with the same bedroom requirement see the same properties. It is up to each individual applicant on the waiting list to bid on the properties they wish to. (with the exception of homeless applicants, whose bidding is controlled by the local authority) If somebody with an A or B band, bid on a property they will be above those people in temporary accommodation who have a C band.

No homeless families have a band higher than C

No I am a saddo who has no friends. All I do is care for my sons, and I'm not good on a social front. My only family is my father who is 82, whose wife has recently died, and has Parkinsons. No I can't move to his area, there is no housing policy for carers so I can only see him for three hours once a week due to the demands of caring for my sons. My father is intentionally starving himself to death and I can do nothing, he refuses help from social services. I did get Parkinsons Concern in to help him once but he refused day care. And I am watching this, helpless. He eats when I am there, but I am only there for such a short time.

No I can't easily move to another area .., as I have said before on this forum, imagine dragging around one large 20 year old and one 10 year old finding LA's and properties while they are collapsing physically and getting stressed because they are in a familiar area. Plus moving to another area means changing the services that are coming in to this family (my older son has a PA that we waited two years for and very good specialist social worker that we waited for - not all areas even have these). Then there's finding education who meet the needs of my sons, a problem everywhere. and awaiting eviction by a private LL again.., if I can find one who will take a benefit recipient. I've tried.

So yes, I am grateful for a roof over our heads compared to being on the streets but being band C and not having any possibility of another banding based on medical need is not good. I know what's going to happen. We'll be forced to move into an area that's bad, where my sons won't go outside.

So situation clarified and yes, I am wondering about giving up totally now. Yep it looks like I am a begger who is unable to provide for my kids.

Just so you know, the 5 floor maisonette I was offered, the previous residents were removed by the police because 'their faces didn't fit'.., they were gay. I don't suppose my face will fit either in an area like that because its wrong that that can happen. I've already been run off one area for the same reason (years ago). After having every window in our car smashed (I was with my ex then, broken into etc. Great for my boys. You know what started that off.., the police arrested some yobbo trying to break into my ex's car. The neighbours decided I had nothing better to do but look out the windows and phone the police. It was just a chance arrest by the police, nothing to do with us, but no one would listen. So yes, I am scared. I spent months not sleeping waiting for the next attack. Police told us they'd only move us if 'the yobbos were out in the garden baying for our blood' - direct quote. My ex was assaulted. A yobbo was caught with his arms full of our stuff by wardens - given community service. There was NO protection. And here I go into that again. And nothing I can do.

Miss_Samantha

deannatrois wrote: »

No homeless families have a band higher than C.

As quoted previously, their own policy states that some homeless households may be assigned to band A.

I would quote their own policy and ask them to explain.

missbiggles1

deannatrois wrote: »

It has been confirm by the housing officer that:

The Housing Act is legislation the local authority have to follow so applicants and their families who are in priority need are not street homeless and are given adequate accommodation if accepted through a homeless application. Legislation also states that these families are prioritised for housing, which is why a priority band C is awarded.

Everybody with the same bedroom requirement see the same properties. It is up to each individual applicant on the waiting list to bid on the properties they wish to. (with the exception of homeless applicants, whose bidding is controlled by the local authority) If somebody with an A or B band, bid on a property they will be above those people in temporary accommodation who have a C band.

No homeless families have a band higher than C

No I am a saddo who has no friends. All I do is care for my sons, and I'm not good on a social front. My only family is my father who is 82, whose wife has recently died, and has Parkinsons. No I can't move to his area, there is no housing policy for carers so I can only see him for three hours once a week due to the demands of caring for my sons. My father is intentionally starving himself to death and I can do nothing, he refuses help from social services. I did get Parkinsons Concern in to help him once but he refused day care. And I am watching this, helpless. He eats when I am there, but I am only there for such a short time.

No I can't easily move to another area .., as I have said before on this forum, imagine dragging around one large 20 year old and one 10 year old finding LA's and properties while they are collapsing physically and getting stressed because they are in a familiar area. Plus moving to another area means changing the services that are coming in to this family (my older son has a PA that we waited two years for and very good specialist social worker that we waited for - not all areas even have these). Then there's finding education who meet the needs of my sons, a problem everywhere. and awaiting eviction by a private LL again.., if I can find one who will take a benefit recipient. I've tried.

So yes, I am grateful for a roof over our heads compared to being on the streets but being band C and not having any possibility of another banding based on medical need is not good. I know what's going to happen. We'll be forced to move into an area that's bad, where my sons won't go outside.

So situation clarified and yes, I am wondering about giving up totally now. Yep it looks like I am a begger who is unable to provide for my kids.

Just so you know, the 5 floor maisonette I was offered, the previous residents were removed by the police because 'their faces didn't fit'.., they were gay. I don't suppose my face will fit either in an area like that because its wrong that that can happen. I've already been run off one area for the same reason (years ago). After having every window in our car smashed (I was with my ex then, broken into etc. Great for my boys. You know what started that off.., the police arrested some yobbo trying to break into my ex's car. The neighbours decided I had nothing better to do but look out the windows and phone the police. It was just a chance arrest by the police, nothing to do with us, but no one would listen. So yes, I am scared. I spent months not sleeping waiting for the next attack. Police told us they'd only move us if 'the yobbos were out in the garden baying for our blood' - direct quote. My ex was assaulted. A yobbo was caught with his arms full of our stuff by wardens - given community service. There was NO protection. And here I go into that again. And nothing I can do.

I still think that refers to homeless households with no other issues.

xylophone

If your father continues to deteriorate then presumably the choice would be a care home or living with you.

If your father came to live with you, would you be given higher priority/offered a four bedroom house?

carefullycautious

Can I ask if the emergency accommodation that you are in now is likely to become permanent?


If it is then you could look for an exchange.


Don't drain your energy constantly thinking 'what if'


Does your sons attend any type of schooling/centres where you get a few hours break to enable you to look around areas and housing without having to 'drag' them about with you?


A mentor would be helpful to you for support

[Deleted User]

I thank you for your suggestions. Please don't think I don't appreciate them when I say the following.

I don't think my Dad would move in here, its a two bed maisonette with two flights of stairs. officially we need a three bed but we are lucky to have this. Better than one room for all of us but its over crowded already. I wish I could but I don't see him doing it. No doubt I'd be breaking my licence if he did as well. Only registered people allowed to sleep here. He lives in Essex, I am in Gravesham. My council don't have any responsibility for him. He bought his flat but took out an Equity Loan to pay off an interest only mortgage some years ago (wish he'd talked to me at the time) so no money if he sells the flat. And to be honest, he's just waiting to die. I so wish I could do something to help him but I can't think of anything.

My younger son goes to school but has periods of school refusal. My older son is due to go to a new college in September. Both because needs aren't being met. 6 hours, I'm afraid, isn't enough there and back to look for houses etc. Its now an expensive area to live in. I'd need longer and then I'd need to check if services could still be provided. Its kind of bad to even think of, I know that sounds defeatest but I'm a bit overwhelmed. I did try LA's in Chatham (slightly cheaper area) but they wouldn't look at me (benefit recipient) unless I had a guarantor. No friends, no family, no guarantor. And then you are waiting to be evicted again. 18 months of hell in the private rental with my kids because of this. Everytime I wouldn't do exactly what the LL said (once over repair of the front door) he'd threaten to evict me. It was really bad. But there doesn't seem to be an even vaguely good anywhere in this situation.

I'd love some support but until I get diagnosed (the out of borough funding paperwork has been lost by the HLA so still waiting for an ADHD referral, no diagnosis on the ASD until this is done so no help).

Missbiggles, I take your point.., totally, but maybe its wishful thinking on our part. The council don't seem to be looking at the situation right but that's just my opinion. Obviously they are meeting their legal obligations as far as they are concerned and they don't have to do anymore.

I have re read the whole thread and can now see what The Banker said. I'll try the CAB. Not overly hopeful as it seems the borough is fulfilling their legislated obligations on paper. But I can try.

TheBanker

deannatrois wrote: »

I have re read the whole thread and can now see what The Banker said. I'll try the CAB. Not overly hopeful as it seems the borough is fulfilling their legislated obligations on paper. But I can try.

An alternative which you might find easier as you can do it from home, is to call Shelter's helpline on 0808 800 4444. They're open from 8am to 8pm on weekdays and 8am to 5pm at the weekend. The call should be free from a landline or mobile.

There are some other organisations listed here - I'm not sure if any of them are close to you though.