Advice needed- friend with 4 kids facing homelessness, council not being any use

xylophone

It is likely that her chances of obtaining a suitable rented property would be higher in the northern town where she lived for ten years.

She presumably has friends there and possibly the children could return to their old school?

theartfullodger

Go with here again to council to "present as homeless". You will here council's opinion. If they refuse to rehouse (possibly in homeless hostel) she must demand decision in writing so she can the appeal decision.

Council have recent further responsibility under homeless reduction act.

sal_III

theartfullodger wrote: »

Go with here again to council to "present as homeless". You will here council's opinion. If they refuse to rehouse (possibly in homeless hostel) she must demand decision in writing so she can the appeal decision.

Council have recent further responsibility under homeless reduction act.

I believe in this case the council are meeting the responsibility by offering to place her in a hostel, so she is not homeless. It's hardly their fault that the demand far outstrips the supply in London and SE.

The question here is why after living in the north for the past 10 years she insists on living in London - the most expensive place in the country. I understand the initial "flight" to her mother, but after several months, she should be able to assess the situation clearly.

need_an_answer

OP..Where do the family of her OH/husband live?
Are they able or willing to be involved in the bringing up of her children or is it a case that sadly because Dad cannot be trusted they are now estranged from that side of the family?

Its certainly something to consider if your friend wants the support of "family" but the much less than London housing costs.


Would she consider a move to somewhere totally different to start afresh there are plenty of lovely places to live where the quality of life could still be very good even if she doesn't have support.


Now could be the time to move somewhere where there isn't a past following and she is in more control of her future and that of her children.

pinkshoes

1. Get it in writing that she will be kicked out in two weeks and take it to the council. They will probably ask her to come back on the day of eviction. She might end up in a hostel but this is better than nothing.

2. Go and find accommodation in a cheaper part of the country where she perhaps CAN get a council house or private rents are cheaper.

elsien

While in no way condoning threats of physical violence, from what you have written this was a one off situation triggered by the bust up and everything coming to a head. You also do not mention any risk towards the children and children have a right to see their dad. Was she ever abusive/aggressive towards him, in their tempestuous relationship?

Given that her chances of getting decent housing without years in a homeless hostel are likely to be far greater outside of London, I would suggest she looks into moving back closer to where she was. It will be cheaper, she will have a support network of friends there and the children will more easily be able to have contact with their father. She does not have to see him, she can make other arrangements for the handover.

He is paying child maintenance, yes? Are they looking to get divorced, because finances and access should be sorted as part of this. Which isn't what you asked but if there's a settlement it could potentially impact on any income related benefits so needs to be borne in mind.

hazyjo

What happened re the previous rental? Is she still on that tenancy agreement or was it all in her ex's name? I hope she's literally not just upped and left if joint.

TBagpuss

As others have said, the council cannot give her housing that they don't have.

A hostel place would buy her time to keep looking for private rented accommodation, and she can perhaps review her options to consider whether it would make sense for her to look at moving elsewhere; either back to the area where she was living, where she may be a higher priority for council housing, or to somewhere else where renting may be easier than in London, if she doesn't want to go back North for whatever reason.

tlc678910

I remember watching a heartbreaking programme about a mother living within the London area who was reliant on benefits. She was being told she would have to relocate to be rehoused for the fourth or fifth occasion and was devastated that her son would have to sever his friendships again to start at a new school. Each time he settled in they had to move.

What I am getting at is even if your friend can find private rented in the area if she is unlucky that the landlord wants the house back etc it is quite likely that she will be forced to relocate and disrupt her children. For this reason I think your friend would be better to move somewhere with more potential to rent and hence greater stability for her family.

If her old area is appealing for her and the children she could consider it, if not perhaps somewhere new.

I wish her lots of luck and I'm glad you are there for her.
Tlc

[Deleted User]

I am sure your friend is in a complete state. She's got mental health problems, split in bad circumstances from her ex, moved in with mum who is ill, has not long had a baby and doesn't know what to do. I can't begin to imagine how she feels.

Its likely she will be more able to start rebuilding if she goes back to the area she's been in previously. The council will be pushing her to do this and may help. She may still end up in a hostel, it depends on what policy the other council have with regards to housing people who are homeless. But its guaranteed it won't be for as long as with any London borough. When I had housing problems i found out that my borough did not place people in B&B (although I understand that is due to change) and would only place you in a hostel for a few weeks. I was able to argue that because I had children with special needs we couldn't go into a single room.

But your friend needs to know what the other borough's policy is to help her make a decision.

With the benefit cap for anyone with over two children, financially its going to be hard. Private rental is always an option but it might be the most difficult option in the long term, financially and with regards to stability. Social housing is very difficult to get and may involve a time in a hostel in the short term but probably holds more promise long term (and in terms of stability).

Finally, after all that, we don't know how bad it is/was with her ex and whether she can move back to where she was. She needs to speak to Shelter / Women's Aid about this as being scared of abuse is a genuine reason to move from an area that, as far as I am aware, her home council might have to accept. It will be difficult if she doesn't have any proof of the abuse (police call outs etc). I am afraid, with the shortage of social housing, her present council will do anything to avoid taking responsiblity for housing her so she will probably have a fight on her hands. But she does need to consider if the fight is worth it given even if she is successful, she could be in a hostel for a long time (but this can be overly pessimistic, councils are supposed to put people in flats etc as soon as possible but this may be a temporary private rental).

I am sorry your friend is in this position. I hope she is able to find a liveable solution. Help her find out what the reality is so she can make an informed decision. Council's do tend to put the frighteners on people so they don't even try to register as homeless.