Mum's about to become homeless - what can we do?

Mojisola

Would she be happy to be a lodger?  That would be cheaper.

There may be a HomeShare scheme in your area - worth looking at.

Also, she could look at being a live-in carer for one of the big companies - usually three weeks on and then a week's break when she could stay with your sister.

elsien

She has enough money to rent, which is more likely to happen if she offers rent in advance or is able to find someone to act as guarantor.
In time, she can start looking for a job. 

At the point her savings reduce to the level that she is entitled to help with the rent, she can apply then. If you check the local housing allowance for your area it will tell you how much she would get for her circumstances ie only needing a one bedroom place, which will give you an idea of any gaps there might be in future between the LA rate and market rents. 

There is no harm in approaching the council. Even if they can’t offer anywhere, there is an obligation to give information to people facing homelessness and they may have some options you haven’t thought of. It does vary a lot depending on where you live. 

As an aside, her partner’s family selling the house isn’t going to be a quick process. She may be able to stay longer than she thinks - what is her relationship with his family like? 

carefullycautious

She could apply for sheltered housing due to her age. It is not means tested. It is all according what area you are in and what the waiting lists are like. Housing associations may also be a way forward. 

theoretica

Shared ownership might be interesting to explore - and I think there is a different scheme for older people.

HampshireH

If he family have their own homes they may be grateful to have her stay and house sit for a while till it's sold

Mildreds_Earrings

Like one person has already suggested, I would try a Housing Association, as they tend to have housing accommodation for persons over the age of 50/55/60. I work for a Housing Association and if we can't get a landlord's reference, then we ask for a character reference from their last employer or from someone they know in a professional capacity. All the best. 

Murphybear

Mildreds_Earrings said:

Like one person has already suggested, I would try a Housing Association, as they tend to have housing accommodation for persons over the age of 50/55/60. I work for a Housing Association and if we can't get a landlord's reference, then we ask for a character reference from their last employer or from someone they know in a professional capacity. All the best. 

My husband and I live in an over 55s Housing Association house.  We did not have to give references or a deposit.  They have loads of properties in England.  Let me know if you want further details. 

Ratkin007

contact your local authority for advice as there may be sheltered or over 50's accommodation available. Housing Associations also an option, really dependent on area you live in. I worked for a Housing Association a couple years ago and there were occassions when homeowners were given 2 bed bungalows. They just had to market their own properties. It can be easy enough to get HA details and then approach them directly. Make sure to visit areas as whilst most sheltered schemes are fine there are some that have issues. A lot of people are against sheltered as they feel it is for "old" people but there were many who wished they'd moved into it earlier. 

pillarsmoke

Could you not buy a bigger house if your mum contributed the 68k towards the new purchase?

Grumpelstiltskin

pillarsmoke said:

Could you not buy a bigger house if your mum contributed the 68k towards the new purchase?

That could be a minefield.

She isn't going to have to move out the day after he dies.

Any sale can't be completed until probate / administration has been granted.

It would be in the families interest if the house was lived in at least at the beginning if the process.