Social Housing Question

diggingdude

Is there no chance of returning to any form of work? The reason I ask is with a wage you might be able to secure a private property which meets your needs whereas relying on public housing is unlikely to help you any time soon

Janey42

diggingdude wrote: »

Is there no chance of returning to any form of work? The reason I ask is with a wage you might be able to secure a private property which meets your needs whereas relying on public housing is unlikely to help you any time soon

It would be possible if the mental health team reviewed my diagnosis properly and stopped fobbing me off with the wrong diagnosis. I've been asking for four years. With the correct diagnosis I could be medicated correctly which would avoid the mixed states I find myself in at least twice a year, which normally end up with me not sleeping for about 9 weeks until it finally comes to an end.

Going back to work is not currently an option because no future employer is going to want to have someone with unstable MH whose likely to go on long term sick due to unstable MH.

And if I'm being truthful I'm better off on benefits until my MH is stable. I've not been reassessed for more than 7 years for ESA, if I can't hold down a job applying for ESA again would be more detrimental. Currently I study part time to keep qualifications up to date and I undertake voluntary work for 10 hours a week.

One day I do hope I'm well enough to go back to work but that currently is not now.

Murphybear

I am sorry to hear of your problems and the anxiety levels they are causing.

I live in a very nice over 55s development. Our HA has about 20,000 properties in England, none in Scotland or Wales at the moment. I thought they took under 55s if they are disabled but couldn’t find the details. I’ll find out and let you know. You don’t have to bid for the flats but either go on a waiting list or apply for one that is empty.

Our flats were built by the British Legion are solid and very quiet. Small children are very rare, please note AdrianC:rotfl: and if they were to disturb people in their flats there is a huge communal lounge they could use. We’ve been here for nearly 2 years and I haven’t seen a single child.

John_Smith_2019

Apparently, the housing associations near me have some difficulty finding occupants for their supported housing properties. These are usually the over 55s or over 60s only type flats.
So much so that they are demolishing some of these flats that are only about 30 years old at most.

I was surprised to hear this, as I often hear that the UK has an ageing population and not enough suitable housing etc.

So I'm not sure what the real situation is. But I'd imagine that if these properties have a low occupancy rate, the HA would likely be flexible.

sevenhills

John_Smith_2019 wrote: »

Apparently, the housing associations near me have some difficulty finding occupants for their supported housing properties. These are usually the over 55s or over 60s only type flats.

When I was looking for housing I was in my late 40s, it did seem strange that councils looked for people of a certain age, rather than suitable tenants.

Morglin

Some of our local previously sheltered schemes have changed their role.

Some HAs don’t want the expense of scheme managers any more, and they were struggling to find elderly tenants, so they now let them to over 45’s with no resident children or pets.

My friend lives in one, and it’s pretty stress free. However, the residents do often have grandkids staying, particularly in the school holidays, so there’s still a bit of noise. A third of the flats are two bedroomed, and the rest are one bed.

I guess it’s just a balance, for the HAs of trying to house as many people as possible, and at the same time saving money by cutting back on support expense.

John_Smith_2019

sevenhills wrote: »

When I was looking for housing I was in my late 40s, it did seem strange that councils looked for people of a certain age, rather than suitable tenants.

I think the reason is that these particular supported housing flats were designed specifically for elderly people. So the council / HA didn't want to let them out to younger people, in case an elderly person needed them at a later date.

It's interesting that there now seems to be a shortage of elderly tenants though.
Maybe more elderly people are struggling alone in unsuitable terraced housing with stairs etc?

mimi1234

Hold on, so you are in 2 bedroomed accommodation but only need 1 bedroom?

Have you mentioned this to the HA or even the local Council? In our Council, we would jump at this chance. You are under-occupying by one bedroom so would automatically get some priority.

Other than a letter from your GP, do you not have any health professionals working with you? Also, why not check the housing application you have done. In our Council, they have questions about medical issues and then a further form is sent out by the medical team within housing who then assess the situation and award priority or "special needs" status.

Good luck.

John_Smith_2019

mimi1234 wrote: »

Hold on, so you are in 2 bedroomed accommodation but only need 1 bedroom?

Have you mentioned this to the HA or even the local Council? In our Council, we would jump at this chance. You are under-occupying by one bedroom so would automatically get some priority.

Other than a letter from your GP, do you not have any health professionals working with you? Also, why not check the housing application you have done. In our Council, they have questions about medical issues and then a further form is sent out by the medical team within housing who then assess the situation and award priority or "special needs" status.

Good luck.

But does your council or local HAs actually have any one bedroom flats available?
(That aren't sheltered housing or over 55s only etc?)

diggingdude

In my council it's easier to get a 2 bed than a 1 so to be fair I think it's safe to say everywhere is different