Homelessness, single, working, and pregnant. Any advice?

bernadette1984

Hello all,

I have a big problem. In a nutshell this is the situation I now stupidly find myself in.

I am a 34 year old female, who is 6 months pregnant, and my partner of three years (the father) left me a few weeks ago.

I currently live at home with my parents - as even though I work full time as a chef - in London - my salary of £15,600 - doesn't cover the cost of rent or mortgage of a place in London.

My parents while sympathetic to my situation, are adamant that I can't continue living in their home with a baby, as they are elderly and could not cope living with a baby, and the upheaval and noise and stress that brings, and that I must find my own place to live.

Obviously once I have the baby I will have even less income, as Maternity Pay will be my only source of income. I have no savings. And have no friends willing or able to accommodate me and my baby.

I know it's asking a lot, but would appreciate any advice anybody could give to help ensure my baby and I can afford somewhere to live.

Do I speak to the Council? Rent Privately? When should I do this? What do I say? Who do I speak to? How do I increase my chances of getting housed? Will they take my baby away from me as I will be homeless?

Basically what should I do (other than cry and panic, which is a waste of time and no help to anybody)?

Thanks

Bernadette

[Deleted User]

I am afraid long term you might have to retrain as that kind of salary is common for chefs but not enough to live on for someone with a child anywhere near London. You should be able to get tax credits etc once you have your child which will help.

Sorry you are in the situation you are in.

You will have to go to the council and see what they say, but a lot of councils place people in B&B accommodation initially. If you are near London, it could be for quite a while. They could also decide to place you somewhere other than locally as well. However they are supposed to only leave you in B&B for a few weeks, but some council's ignore this. Its not pleasant but people do cope. And that's the worse that can happen. As you are pregnant, or will have a child, councils will have a responsibility to house you. I'm afraid there may be another complication in that they may say as you have lived elsewhere (for how long?) where you came from is responsible for you. Just warning you so you will be prepared.

And I am afraid most councils won't do much until your parents do evict you. Even a letter from them telling you to leave won't be accepted by all council's as gospel. Some will investigate, stressed councils won't even do that. However, find out all the information you can on housing (and read your council's homelessness, and housing policy - it will be on a website). I'm afraid a lot of councils practice Gatekeeping even though they are not supposed to, which means they will make you applying as a homeless person or in need of housing as difficult as possible. They can refuse to help when they shouldn't, tell you what they can do in the most negative way. I'm sorry, I'm afraid even my council did this and they aren't as under pressure as some.

How serious do you think your parents are? Do you get on with them? I know my parents refused to let me live with them when I needed help and had a young child, but most won't be like that when it gets down to it.

Obviously as you are at home and working, save every penny you can.

All you can do is prepare, find out all the information you can in case your parents do decide to ask you to leave. You could phone Shelter for advice as well, or see your CAB. I know its not ideal but pre arm yourself with information.

A council might be willing to give a loan or grant to cover first months rent and the deposit to help you get a private rental but finding a private rental whilst on benefits can be difficult. You might have to be prepared to move to another area.

xylophone

my partner of three years (the father) left me a few weeks ago.

Presumably he will be paying child maintenance?

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/family/children-and-young-people/child-maintenance/child-maintenance-where-to-start/

Make an appointment with a CAB adviser for benefits advice.

https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/help-if-on-a-low-income/

Ring Shelter for advice.

https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/your_situation/homeless_help_your_situation_-_pregnant_women

I can't imagine that your parents will actually turn you out on the streets with your child in your arms so that you will have time to sort out arrangements for you and their grandchild?

FreeBear

I had a young girl staying with me for a few months in a similar position - She was pregnant, very close to being homeless, and in a somewhat volatile relationship. In the end, during one of the more extreme mood swings, she ran off and made herself intentionally homeless. I think the local council put her in a womens refuge, which is far from ideal long term.

Then yesterday, read an anecdotal story - https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5860546/pregnant-ill-just-been-served-eviction-notice&page=3#42

silvercar wrote: »

When I was in hospital after giving birth, there was another lady with her first born who refused to leave the hospital until she was offered housing by the council. She quoted some rule that the hospital were obliged to let her stay until the baby was 28 days old while she was homeless. Of course she was taking up valuable space in the maternity ward and a couple of phone calls from the hospital to the council saw her being offered a suitable property.

Bernadette: Your options are limited if you want to stay in London - Rent is going to be expensive, and councils will have few suitable properties. If you want to look further afield for housing, rents drop noticeably when you get away from the home counties.