Advice needed on priority council housing offer

[Cakeeat1968]

Me and my 3 yo are in refuge (since february) and have just been offered housing in an area I didn't list on our application. It's a 1st floor flat with no garden in a very rough area, which I know no one will ever swap for. So if I take it we are basically stuck there forever unless I give up council housing and go back to private rental at some point in the future. I'm feeling pretty desperate about it. Any words of wisdom. I feel a bit condemned :/ I could appeal, but I don't know where that would leave us. I've been up all night reading the appeal procedure, but can't think of any reason for 'unsuitability' other than I don't want us to live with alcoholics and druggies :( and send her to a school where she'll struggle to be able to study without being bullied. Am in bits really. Any advice welcome.

[Cakeeat1968]

Also,,we're in Cardiff and the flat is in Caerau.

[coffeecoffeemorecoffee]

Perhaps refuse it by saying it's unsuitable due to it being a first floor flat, say your little one still uses a pushchair and you won't be able to manage it.

Did you bid for it?

[Cakeeat1968]

Thanks - I'm not sure whether there's a lift there. If not I'll say that. No I didn't :/ it's just their offer.

[TittyGolightly]

Ooh, that's tough. Which areas have you asked for?

What happens if you turn it down?

[Ifailed]

have you been to look at it - things may not be as grim as you think?

[coffeecoffeemorecoffee]

Does 3yo go to a nursery or preschool or anything? If so, you could say the flat is too far away and you don't have the means to get to the nursery/school and won't move nursery because your child is settled and happy there?

I feel for you, I was in your position last year (homeless, refuge etc) and I know how much I hoped and hoped for a house in a nice area.

Another option is to bid on something now that you know you'll get (presuming you are a priority bidder) and then stall the viewing of the flat. Say you're away for a few days so book the viewing as far away as possible then ring again said you can't make it because little one is poorly and hopefully in the meantime you will come first for something better and you can say you'd like to view the 'other' place first.

[Cakeeat1968]

Yes she does. Thanks, I'll try that too. I picked basically all other areas (mainly north in the city. Apart from areas that are 'unsafe' for us, this area is one of the only four areas I didn't pick :/ I don't think there is any sort of bidding for Cardiff. They just make one offer, which you can appeal.

[Cakeeat1968]

Basically all areas I picked (not counting 'unsafe' ones due to our circumstances) except 4. This is one of the 4. I gather if I don't except they no longer have a duty to house me, unless I can successful appeal :/

[coffeecoffeemorecoffee]

Ah that's hard, we have a choice based lettings system here (midlands). Defo try the nursery thing, really stress that you'd have to move to a new nursery and how detrimental it would be. I know that where I am, locations of the school or nursery your child goes to does affect the offers you receive. Also, if you work, is it close? Would it make it difficult for you to work? Or is it far away from any family support you are dependant on? Ie childcare, emotional support. It's all relevant.

Good luck

[Cakeeat1968]

I haven't looked at it yet but I know that people won't general swap for it, so we would be stuck there.

[Cakeeat1968]

Aw thanks. It's true, we'd be totally isolated up there, which is even what I put on my application when I asked for specific areas (not that 1!)

[TittyGolightly]

It's one of the very few areas in Cardiff that I definitely wouldn't want to live, so I get your dilemma totally.

[AdorableMisfit]

Hi OP, I'm in Cardiff too and I understand why you don't want to live in Caerau. However, council housing in north Cardiff very rarely becomes available, I know someone who waited almost a year for a flat in north Cardiff, so you're probably going to have to expand your horizons a bit (or privately rent, not that I would advise that as it doesn't give the stability of council housing - I've been privately renting for 19 years and would love not to have to worry about being kicked out with 2 months' notice but I'm not eligible for council housing, and can't afford to buy). What other areas have you ruled out?

You need to get some proper advice on what happens if you decline the flat. My understanding is that if you refuse a "reasonable offer", they take your priority status off you. Do you have an IDVA or other support worker from Women's Aid who can advocate on your behalf? Also, it might be worth ringing Shelter Cymru - 0345 075 5005 (phone lines operate between 9.30am – 4.00pm, Monday to Friday). I think they also have a local advice centre in Cardiff you can make an appointment with and go talk to. Good luck!

[Tingatingatale]

I too am from Cardiff. I understand the Caerau issue. My dad had the same problem, what area did you ask for? Was it North Cardiff?

[Sparrowlegs248]

Have you made a homeless application? If you have, then unfortunately the likelihood is that you will have to accept it or not be rehoused.

If you are accepted as homeless, the council have a duty to house you. They don't have a duty to house you in a property of your choosing or an area of your choice. The property must be suitable, as in enough bedrooms, and accessible, affordable etc. Being a first floor flat and having a child is not likely to make it unsuitable. (check the policy to see if any priority is given for having a child in an upstairs flat, no garden etc. If they give priority for this then you could argue that they ate accepting that it's not suitable)

My advice (as someone who works in this field) would be to move into the property THEN appeal. If you refuse, they can discharge duty to house you.

Are you in refuge for dv? What is your status there? If you are in temp provided by the council, they will serve you with notice if you refuse their offer.