Coucil housing - do you get priority if you have a MH disability

norman1992

Hi

I'm looking to make an application with my local council to get my name on the housing list. I'm 24 and currently live with my Mum in her house. I have learning difficulties and Bipolar and see a CPN. I have no problems living with my Mum but desperately want a dog but my Mum is allergic to them so I want to more out. I get ESA and PIP. Will that give me priority banding on a council flat/house/bedsit? How long will I expect to wait to be rehoused? I have full support from my CPN and the LD team.

Londonsu

You need to contact your council but most councils have very few properties and as you are living with your mum with no problems they may see you as adequately housed and be unable to help but it is worth trying


You also need to be aware that even if they were able to rehouse you it will most likely be a flat and not a house, which will mean either you may not be able to have a dog due to rules or it wont be the best environment for the dog certainly a bedsit would not be a good environment for a dog even a very small one


You can get dogs that don't cause allergies, a friend has a cavapoo (cavalier spaniel poodle cross) and they are good for people with allergies but these are very expensive but it may be worth contacting your local dog shelter to see if they have a rescue dog that may be suitable.


You could also volunteer at a rescue home if you are able to do so, but again that would depend on your mums allergies if they are really bad just you being in contact with a dog may cause her problems but its worth considering if you can both make it work.

norman1992

My social worker has spoken with the supported living coordinator at social services to try and get me into supported housing but he things because I got sentenced to more than one year in glen parva when I was 19 he thinks I will be turned down because of other people's vulnerability and something called safeguarding. If I get approved it has to go to panel and they will decide funding. If you move into supported housing do they do a CRB check on you or just go with reports from the CMHT?

Glen_Clark

The number of people sleeping rough has more than doubled in the last 6 years.
How can you tell the council you need council housing more than people sleeping rough?
Because you want a dog?

Tommo1980

I have a friend who did time at Glen Parva, said they used to starve the inmates there.

RE: your conviction, it depends on a number of factors! A high proportion of ex offenders have MH difficulties so there will be accommodation specifically targeted to that client group.

The grass isn't always greener though. Living in supported accommodation can come with its own rules and restrictions.

Tom

FBaby

Many people want pets, other children. It gives you a sense of purpose and love of course. However, it also comes with a very high degree of responsibilities which mean that in many cases, it isn't reasonable to go ahead with that wish.

Many places won't allow you to have a dog and by getting one, you are putting yourself in a much more difficult position to be housed/rehoused. Dogs do damage that can cause problems.

Glen_Clark

FBaby wrote: »

Dogs do damage that can cause problems.

Including barking. You might not even realise how much it barks - especially if it does it when you are away. A yapping dog can cause serious irritation to neighbours in a flat.

rockingbilly

norman1992 wrote: »

Hi

I'm looking to make an application with my local council to get my name on the housing list. I'm 24 and currently live with my Mum in her house. I have learning difficulties and Bipolar and see a CPN. I have no problems living with my Mum but desperately want a dog but my Mum is allergic to them so I want to more out. I get ESA and PIP. Will that give me priority banding on a council flat/house/bedsit? How long will I expect to wait to be rehoused? I have full support from my CPN and the LD team.

I do think that you are looking at this from your own point of view too much. People with mental health difficulties form the highest number of those that claim PIP. There are thousands of sufferers some who may well not be as affected as you are but there are others that are in a worse situation. You have to look at the bigger picture.
There is a limited number of properties that would suit you so obviously the worst cases should be given priority.
Instead of looking at this in a negative way, turn it round and view it from a positive angle - that there are many many more sufferers in a worse situation who also need this help.

Glen_Clark

Tommo1980 wrote: »

I have a friend who did time at Glen Parva, said they used to starve the inmates there.
Tom

I think 'starve' is an exaggeration. Prisoners get what food nutritionists say they need. But thats less than most people eat, because most of us eat more than we need, and would be healthier if we ate a bit less

mattcanary

Glen_Clark wrote: »

The number of people sleeping rough has more than doubled in the last 6 years.
How can you tell the council you need council housing more than people sleeping rough?
Because you want a dog?

You aren;t just housed on the basis of need. You actually also have to bid for properties, (and in most schemes you can only bid on up to 2 or 3 homes a week).
Having a good strategy when bidding can matter just as much as your need.

rockingbilly

Glen_Clark wrote: »

I think 'starve' is an exaggeration. Prisoners get what food nutritionists say they need. But thats less than most people eat, because most of us eat more than we need, and would be healthier if we ate a bit less

From memory the average cost of a meal for a prisoner is £2.10, whereas the cost of a meal for a NHS inpatient is just over £1.
I would suggest that those on benefits spend less on food than prison authorities do.
Starvation to some is in fact utopia to others - it's all down to comparisons.