Bereaved single parent with disabled child can't get on the housing list - Help!

itsthelittlethings

wannaretireearly said:

Thanks for all your replies. The council said she doesn't have a housing need so can't go on the register. Older sister had given her an eviction date (Obviously as her partner died she couldn't follow through with it at that point) but that seemed to make no difference. My younger sister needs to stay in the area as she has no-one except for her family who all live here, literally no friends etc as her partner and child have been her world. The council have been dire. Hours spent trying to talk to people, no-one really explaining etc. We're collectively trying to help her do this now as tbh she's struggling atm. I will download the council housing policy as a starting point - thanks for the link elsien. 

Try going to CAB or calling Shelter. Are they overcrowded?

housebuyer143

Sea_Shell said:

If this wasn't family, the advice would be to stay put for as long as possible and let the LL evict through the courts.

However, with family involved it's going to be much more frought than that. 😞

Is older sister desperate (for the sale) enough to go to court for an eviction?

Can she afford to sell "cheap" to another LL , with tenant in situ?

But, If she can't afford to pay any rent, how does that play out with a potential new LL when it's been "unofficial" until now?

Sorry, I don't know how this gets resolved, whilst maintaining family relationships.

I read it as she's not a tenant, just an occupier so I'm not sure she has any legal rights to stay there.. The owner could just change the locks. 

She definitely has a housing need because were well she live once it's sold 🤷‍♀️ 

If you haven't already it might be worth going back and asking them at what point in the sale will they rehouse her, because once the completion date is set, she will be homeless. 
Alternatively you might need to contact you MP and ask them to help 

itsthelittlethings

Has she filled out this application form and been rejected?

https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/housing_register

In my area, if you are within 28 days of being made homeless, the council will work with you to look at your options. She will be one step ahead if she has applied via that link already.

elsien

I would also tell her to speak to a local councillor , if the council are being obstructive, 

lincroft1710

housebuyer143 said:

Sea_Shell said:

If this wasn't family, the advice would be to stay put for as long as possible and let the LL evict through the courts.

However, with family involved it's going to be much more frought than that. 😞

Is older sister desperate (for the sale) enough to go to court for an eviction?

Can she afford to sell "cheap" to another LL , with tenant in situ?

But, If she can't afford to pay any rent, how does that play out with a potential new LL when it's been "unofficial" until now?

Sorry, I don't know how this gets resolved, whilst maintaining family relationships.

I read it as she's not a tenant, just an occupier so I'm not sure she has any legal rights to stay there.. The owner could just change the locks. 

She definitely has a housing need because were well she live once it's sold 🤷‍♀️ 

If you haven't already it might be worth going back and asking them at what point in the sale will they rehouse her, because once the completion date is set, she will be homeless. 
Alternatively you might need to contact you MP and ask them to help 

As far as I can ascertain elder sister's house isn't even on the market yet.

elsien

Giving an eviction date makes no odds -anyone can give a date it doesn’t mean that they will follow through and take action.
And your sister didn’t, which is why the council are probably remaining sceptical about how valid wanting your other sister out is. 

deannagone

The council's housing department are telling her this because the last thing they want to do (with thousands of people on the housing register and not enough properties for the people on the list) is admit they will have a responsibility to house her.  Its called gatekeeping, and I am afraid most councils will initially say 'we will never house you because of x, y and z and later on it all turns out to be false.

I am the person Elsien is talking about.  Was told I couldn't be housed, although in the back ground they were preparing to offer me temporary accommodation.  I didn't know this though so was on tenderhooks even on the day the bailiffs came round.  Its not supposed to be like this, but commonly its what councils do.  They 'could' offer you housing as soon as it become certain you will need it.., i.e. before the bailiffs come round and tell you to leave.., but quite often I am afraid, they leave it until you are literally standing on the street.  Its awful, its not legal, but its also unstoppable.

The person being talked about needs to get all her evidence prepared.  Evidence of the needs of the child (letters from her consultants both Special needs consultants and respiratory especially.  Because she can use this evidence to argue she needs to be placed in a flat rather than a one room hostel.  Citing the instability of hostel life, and inability to guarantee her safety there, possibly inability to use the equipment there, not enough space etc.  With me, I had problems with ambulance staff being able to gain access through several security doors when I was collapsed and unable to move.  Much easier in a place with just one front door.  I also had two special needs children, who had communication problems, and in a multiple tenant building, it would have been dangerous for them as they had no idea of personal safety.

So yes, I provided evidence of the unsuitability of one room accommodation (diagnosis documents and supportive letters from consultants) and was put into a maisonette instead of one room accommodation.

It was a very stressful period of our lives (we had no electricity the first 10 days because the meters were being supplied by an incompetent new utility company) and had thousands of cockroach carcases (and there were some live ones).  The maisonette was on a sink estate, I can't pretty it up, there was violence and drunks kicking in doors.., it wasn't the best place.  But it was a complete enclosed maisonette and compared to a hostel room or B&B it was heaven.  I am sorry, but remember that this is abnormal and the state of housing today.  You'd think the property would be checked before we were given the keys.  Obviously it wasn't.  

18 months later, we were assigned permanent housing.  It was a lot quicker than most were given permanent housing.  I wonder if it was because I emailed the housing officer once a week, asking polite questions.  Nothing to get their back up but it was quite a stressful times, the letters they wrote general caused more anxieties than they solved, so I kept replying.  I do wonder if that got me moved on sooner than most would be moved on.

So we did get permanent housing, inspite of being told I wouldn't qualify, and  a lot of negativity and stress from Housing personnel.  Make sure you keep to the 'rules'.  Once offered permanent housing, its a probationary tenancy for a year.  

Hope this helps.  Good luck.  Its a hell of a journey but you do get there in the end.  I am afraid there is no guarantee you will be given a place permanent or otherwise near relatives.  You can ask for this though, different councils respond differently.  I've now been in the same maisonette for years.  The rent for it is a third of rent charged for private rentals.  I wouldn't wish the journey on anyone, but if you have to, you have to. x x x x

Bigphil1474

OP, it's worth spreading your net further and looking at Housing Associations. They will consider accommodating you via Housing Benefit. Depends where you are. People knock councils all the time, but don't forget they have a dwindling stock and a growing waiting list. It would be great if they had the resources to offer housing to all of those in need, but they don't. Good luck.

Jude57

Further to @BigPhil suggestion, here's a link to the Housing Associations in the Charnwood council area:

https://www.charnwood.gov.uk/pages/housing_associations

wannaretireearly

Thanks to those of you who have offered advice especially deannagone - you have obviously been through tough times and I appreciate you sharing to try and help. I think from what has been said our best course of action is ...
Get together as much supporting evidence from health care professionals, senco etc
Contact CAB, Housing charities etc to see if anyone can advocate for her and ensure she completes her application in the best way
Contact Down's Syndrome Association, again to see if someone can advocate for her/has experience of going through this
Although I 'think' all housing associations can only accessed through the bidding process via the council, it may be worth contacting some direct to see if there are any other ways of accessing their accommodation. 
Again, thanks for the time spent trying to help.