Pregnant & live in a Hostel Please Help

have2save

Hi I am in desperate need of some help and was hoping that you guys would be able to help me.
I am 38 weeks pregnant and my partner and I have been living in a hostel for the past 6 weeks. We were told by our homeless officer last week that they have done all of their checks and that they have duty to find us somewhere to live.
My partner is sufferring from depression and has a disorder so is getting IB and I have been suffering from Sciatica throughout most of my pregnancy, I am on SMP at the moment.

What I would really like to know is is there anything that we could be doing to make things go a bit quicker? We have been quiet up until now as we are so greatful to have a roof over our heads but with the baby coming soon and I may be induced next week I am really really worried where the baby will sleep etc.

I know it sounds silly but the carpets are really dirty and sharing a bathroom and kitchen with 5 other couples is going to be extremely difficult.
I really do not know anyone else that has been in our situation and would appreciate ANY help and advice that you could give us.
Thank you so much.

chugalug

Have you contacted Shelter or do you have anyone independent working with you on your housing situation??

dmg24

Hi have2save,

Welcome to MSE.

I don't think your comments are silly at all. You are in the late stages of the pregnancy, the least you can expect is a decent level of hygiene and some privacy.

Did the Housing Officer indicate how long it will be until you would be placed? Are you open to living in any area, so not limiting your chances of getting somewhere?

If you do not feel that you are getting anywhere with the LA, I would contact your MP. It is situations like this that they really should be intervening. Also, has your GP written to the council?

Best of luck with getting something sorted x

have2save

No we haven't contacted Shelter. We had a Homeless Officer that told us last week that he was passing it on to our council now as it has been decided that they have a duty of care to house us. He also said that it will definatly be before Xmas. In the past 6 weeks of being in the hostel we have seen pregnant couples staying no longer than 2-4 weeks before being rehoused.

Gillianh2

Hi,
I think that you should make contact with your MP today. Also ring your Dr and Midwife and ask for letters of support. I am sure your Midwife would be able to write a strongly worded letter as to why your current situation is unsuitable for bringing home a new baby.
I know you have been quiet up till now as you have been grateful for somewhere to live. But the sad but true fact is the more fuss you make the quicker they sort you out.
Please try to ring and sort out some letters of support or get your Midwife to ring the Housing Officer also make contact with your MP.

Good Luck.

lindens

There is a very long post by MUMOFTWINS i think on the Debtfreewannabee board, as she is facing eviction. She has diaried her fight so far to be rehomed. It is a truly inspirational thread, if you read it from beginning to end you may find some hints in there.
Good luck

Fran

chugalug wrote: »

Have you contacted Shelter or do you have anyone independent working with you on your housing situation??

Shelter have a helpline, I would suggest you contact them straight away and see if they can help.

Taffyscot

Dear God, What is the matter with this country? Everyone can now come into Britain and find homes and there are people like you living in shelters. It is disgraceful. I think you should contact your local councillor and also your mp right away. Maybe a quick letter to a local newspaper will help highlight your plight. I just wish you the best of luck and when you get a place do not forget to sign up for the freeclear site and if you put on there you need furniture urgently lots of people will come through with stuff they are not using. Remember the squeaky wheel gets the oil advocate for yourself as no one else will. Where do you live now in what city?
PS If you need baby talc I am sure there are people on here who can give you some.

vicki_b

the best advice i can give you is to get a doctor and or a mental health worker to write a letter to the council. i did this and was offered a house within a week..i think its apalling that you are still in a hostel!!there are hundreds of empty council houses out there. who is gettin them all???have you applied to housing associations? you should make a few more enquiries and find out if you are Urgent Priority because you are in a hostel. if not then you should be as this is how all councils work

rammy007

The best advise is to keep on to them what is it they say its the squeaky wheel that gets the oil and it is so true,good luck it will turn out ok in the end,if you can get some sort of advisor on your side they can pull a few strings.

PasturesNew

i think its apalling that you are still in a hostel!! there are hundreds of empty council houses out there.

Every area is different.
e.g. there are double the council houses per 1000 people in big towns than there are in the countryside

A friend of mine, single, aged 18, got a council flat after being on the list for 18 months. No special needs, not married, no kids.

On the other hand, the two areas I have always lived my entire life, it would take a single person over 20 years to get housed.

One thing on these boards that is often forgotten is: where do you live.... because it makes a LOT of difference to everything. Even simple things like access to a Primark store! I'd never been in one until I moved recently.

So, areas differ .... in everything.