Finally Got An Offer (Social Housing)

[Deleted User]

Some of you will remember me.., was in private rental, LL was pretty poor, not doing repairs, threatening to evict me if I I tried to insist certain repairs he WAS supposed to do but still didn't do them. Then after four years he issued a S21 and evicted us, but this was after two years of 'I might sell' stress - not knowing where I stood. I have to say though, he did return the deposit with no problems at all.

Lots of stress while going thru the eviction process as to whether we'd be put in single room lettings which would present problems for my sons, both of whom have diagnosed ASD.

Was given emergency social housing which also included standing cockroach tenants.

I was also diagnosed with ASD ( had spent decades normalising but finally had to admit that I wasn't coping as I should and was in such a stressful situation I finally had to know if I had it too). My older son was reassessed and found to have social phobia, ASD and ADHD. This assessment process took two years. But it did finally happen.

Due to the vagaries of Gravesham Housing policy, we were only given a C (low) priority. Tried everything but couldn't get that priority increased. Most properties were going to those with A or B priorities (only seen one go to a C priority in 6 months). So recently it was becoming hard to believe we'd ever get out of the emergency housing.

Then I received an email from the Housing Officer saying everyone in emergency housing was going to be moved to 'affordable' private rental properties. As private rental properties in this borough rent for £300 more than LHA, it was likely we could be moved anywhere in the country. This would mean losing the services and schooling I'd often had to work at for a couple of years to set up. It wasn't much but it did help a lot. For example I'd finally got my younger son into a school who were prepared to meet his needs and school refusal stopped. I think I tried every school within reach before I found this one. They aren't the norm.

I completely freaked out as my private rental experience had been such a negative stressful one, and I knew I wouldn't be able to cope with the consequences of such a change.

A few desperate emails were exchanged with my HO and I think he finally realised our situation. He also, after about 10 days said that the change he'd talked about wasn't reality yet, just a proposal. However, I knew other boroughs already had such policies in place and it was probably just a question of time.

So I started applying for any property however unsuitable, almost begging the HO to let us qualify even though we shouldn't because of our physical needs. But physical needs were becoming less important than reducing stress. I was becoming quite hopeless and couldn't see a future.

Suddenly this week I was offered a ground floor maisonette five minutes away from where we are now. Its on a slightly better estate so won't be as noisy and scary for the kids. And three bedrooms, so my younger son will at last have a bedroom of his own. An increasing problem as he's getting older (he needs quiet). A room I will be able to decorate it as he wants, the miracle of which we can both appreciate. Having a lounge, kitchen and front door all on the ground floor will be so wonderful (I have asthma, arthritis and back problems so the emergency accommodation having the lounge on the second floor and kitchen /front door on the ground floor, did cause problems). The offered property isn't even on the bidding list. The emergency accommodation also had a bit of a mould problem which I did manage to clear with insulated wallpaper, scrubbing and airing but somehow the asthma remained a major problem.

So finally, we are here, much quicker than I thought. I was resigned to being in emergency accommodation perhaps for years. I was not 'prepared' to be forced to move into private rental and losing all hope of a permanent home with the consequences that go along with private rental housing.

So to anyone in the same situation, don't give up and keep talking to the people that can change things. I was never rude to the HO even though some of the policies seemed ridiculous and inappropriate. I had to deal with what is, rather than what I wanted, obviously. finally something seemed to give in the system and we are moving to our own place. A social worker told me when I was panicking about the proposed policy change that I should concentrate on getting the council to give me a private rental with a ground floor bedroom but I felt that was missing the point. Sometimes people who are in authority don't understand. You have to rely on yourself and stand up to people who give bad advice sometimes (they do try to exert pressure).

And thank you so much to people on here who have kept me going when things were difficult. You really did keep me going so this could happen.

I hope no one will ever think social housing means going for an easy ride.

observations_from_a_hill

Really glad for you! Have followed your problems for some time.

ancientofdays

I'm delighted to read this, great news!

Morglin

Good news! - enjoy your new home🍾

Lin 😉

Davesnave

Really pleased it's worked out for you.

ERICS_MUM

Sounds like you approached the whole situation in a calm and well thought out way, and succeeded. Well done, I hope you and your boys will be very happy in your new home.

bouicca21

So pleased for you Deanna. Enjoy the new place and stretch to a well earned glass of sparkly.

Gers

Such good news! I've been following your story too and it all sounded so dreadful. Well done on your perseverance and determination, it paid off.

I wish you and your sons a healthy and peaceful life in your new home.

seven-day-weekend

So pleased for you xx

BrassicWoman

you deserve this, well done

silvercar

I too have been following your story. Glad it has all worked out in the end.