No job and about to be made homeless

housebuyer143

Especially London, single people are bottom of the list for any housing at all unfortunately, even more so if they question her eligibility for said housing.  
Can she look into a homeless shelter?

marcia_

housebuyer143 said:

Especially London, single people are bottom of the list for any housing at all unfortunately, even more so if they question her eligibility for said housing.  
Can she look into a homeless shelter?

 I'd have thought she would be classed as intentionally homeless. Which means they have no obligation to provide assistance 

Spoonie_Turtle

marcia_ said:

housebuyer143 said:

Especially London, single people are bottom of the list for any housing at all unfortunately, even more so if they question her eligibility for said housing.  
Can she look into a homeless shelter?

 I'd have thought she would be classed as intentionally homeless. Which means they have no obligation to provide assistance 

You'd have to know the full facts of the situation to make that judgement.  The opening post does not indicate either way whether it's her fault or the friend's fault (or perhaps a bit of both) for things going wrong.

Spint

Fortunately, she has been given a sofa to sleep on for the next few days through the elderly couple I mentioned previously, but it meant having to leave London again. She's using what little money she has fast.

She is now applying for all jobs under the sun to be able to stand on her own feet, but also it gives connection to an area which apparently is what she was lacking when applying for assistance from a LA.

Initially, this thread was just about helping her find emergency accommodation: a roof over her head, not to be put on a social housing list. We all know that would be fruitless for someone with such a low priority although I was a bit surprised by the lack of resources even as an emergency. Just goes to show how bad it is now.

However, what I am now wondering or rather hoping for is that she can get private accommodation with Housing Benefit (if it's still called that). As a UK citizen, she is entitled to UC and HB but does anyone know of places or websites that are DSS friendly? Researching this, I've discovered that it is discrimination to put 'No DSS' in an advert which I remember was a common sight in London's Loot newspaper many moons ago.

She's looking for a room on www.spareroom.co.uk but does anyone have experience with or knowledge on this when applying for HB? Are there dedicated websites or companies that deal with HB rooms?

She's in a bit of a catch-22 situation: for her to get a job (in London) she needs a place to stay, but for her to get a place to stay, she needs a job to pay for it! If she can just get a room with temporary financial assistance then she should be good to go very soon.

Thanks again.

poppy12345

As a working age person she will not be able to claim Housing Benefit, unless she's either living in supported or temporary housing. Help with the rent will be paid in with Universal Credit. She will still need to satisfy the Habitual Residence Test mentioned by Spoonie earlier in the thread. https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/habitual-residence-test/what-benefits-tax-credits-and-services-does-the-habitual-residence-test-apply-to

It's extremely difficult to find a landlord that will accept any DSS tenant. Yes, they are not supposed to refuse but they do. 

As advised previously a single person aged 35 and over she will be entitled to the 1 bedroom rate of Local housing allowance, even if it's shared accommodation she lives in. She can check the rates for her area here. https://lha-direct.voa.gov.uk/ If there's a shortfall of rent then she will need to pay that herself.

born_again

Spint said:

She's in a bit of a catch-22 situation: for her to get a job (in London) she needs a place to stay, but for her to get a place to stay, she needs a job to pay for it! If she can just get a room with temporary financial assistance then she should be good to go very soon.

Thanks again.

Thinking outside the box here.
That would apply to anywhere. So is there a need to have a job in London & live in London?

Alice_Holt

When she applies for UC, she might want to use this service:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/about-us/contact-us/contact-us/help-to-claim/

They might be able to advise on the habitual residence test:
https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/benefits/getting-benefits-if-youve-recently-moved-to-the-UK/