Help with housing for 18 year old who can no longer live at home

Rosemary7391

Is there someone at the college she can speak to? She should do this for sure if she thinks the situation is affecting her studies, and if she's been talking to them for awhile then that record might help her case for being allowed housing benefit or any other official assistance. Is she able to get a Saturday job? Any amount of money she can get behind her for herself will help, even if it only helps to pay for her food if she crashes at a friends place.

Money_maker

Well it's her mums house so maybe she should just suck it up until she's finished college and has a job. I know it can't be easy but she could count down the days until she can leave.

DomRavioli

Legally she's an adult. She would have to drop out of college, claim a qualifying benefit and then wait until something becomes available on social housing (as most private rents are out of her reach).

If her mother does refuse to house her, she would need a letter, written and signed by her mother to confirm homelessness was caused by her - but unless she falls into one of the at risk groups its unlikely she will be provided assistance as statutory homeless. She would likely go into a hostel if there was a place available, and if no place was available, she would be on the streets.

Caroline_a

Have you actually seen mum's actions or are you just taking the word of the girl? I would say that there are 2 sides to every story!

Jackieboy

smiler34 wrote: »

Hi all, I am asking for some advice for a friend. She has recently turned 18 and is currently living at home with her mum and little brother. The issue is she feels that she can no longer live at home as her mum is very emotionally abusive. She is not allowed to even leave the house without her mum's permission and her mum makes her go with her wherever she goes. I was wondering if anyone could advise me on anyone I could get in touch with who could help with housing etc.

Thanks

I'm sure you mean well but, as has previously been said, there are two sides to every story. Personally, I wouldn't bandy the abuse word about or get involved in another family's problems.

thorsoak

As your friend is at college, she should be able to talk to a student counsellor who will be able to advise her on any accommodation and benefits that might be available to her.

Savvy_Sue

elsien wrote: »

http://youngpeopleoutcomes.shelter.org.uk/advice_for_advisers_of_young_people/when_young_people_have_to_move_out/emergency_housing_options/emergency_housing_for_18_to_25_year_olds

This link includes some information about Foyers, if there's one in her area then that could be a good option. Also in this area there's 1625 Independent People, there may be similar provision elsewhere in the country.

Rosemary7391 wrote: »

Is there someone at the college she can speak to? She should do this for sure if she thinks the situation is affecting her studies, and if she's been talking to them for awhile then that record might help her case for being allowed housing benefit or any other official assistance. Is she able to get a Saturday job? Any amount of money she can get behind her for herself will help, even if it only helps to pay for her food if she crashes at a friends place.

There will definitely be someone at college she can speak to, and that would be a very good idea, it won't be the first time they've met such situations.

Hermia

Is she considering uni after college? That is pretty much the way a lot of people I know from abusive families have escaped. They went away to uni, got bar jobs in the evening and then worked hard to find somewhere to stay during the hols (a couple of friends were even able to stay in their uni rooms as long as they paid). Then they found jobs in their uni town and never returned home.

I definitely agree with the people who have suggested she talk to someone at her college. They might even have a counsellor. My mum was quite controlling and my youth counsellor was very good at helping me rephrase my refusals to her. It really did help. Often manipulative people fall apart if you push back in a different way.

divadee

Tell her to go and see the student services department at college. (They may call it a different name). They should have wellbeing counsellors and also be able to help with housing problems and student finance. (I know as I work for them at our local college!)

determined_new_ms

she could look at supported accommodation for people 16-25 and apply to one of them. She would get support and be able to live independently