Homelessness

[Emmah1993]

Hi ladies

Before I start, this is a long post, I am a 24 year old single mum, my son is almost 4 and I have Judy found out I'm about 10 weeks pregnant, I left work September 2016 due to my son falling very sick, very quick, I had no choice but to take care of my son, as I have no one else to do so.

A big ask but I have no one to turn to, and I have no idea what to do...
October last year I applied for universal credit, whilst this was processing, all of my other benefits were stopped, leaving me penniless and unable to pay my rent or bills. Which is when my landlord issued me with a section 21 with 60 days notice to vacate the property. Which led me to the 16th December, the council/ local authority put me into temporary homeless accommodation, no questions asked!
Today I have received a letter stating that the council have come to the understanding that I have made myself intentionally homeless, giving me 28 days to (I assume) vacate the temporary accommodation as they have no duty of care for us...

What more can I do? Who can I contact? Is there any way I can change their minds?

The outstanding rent arrears ( two months rent) was paid on the day of the section 21 expiry.

I'm worried, I'm scared, I'm exhausted and so confused about all of this

Thanks in advance

Emma

Send them a copy of the section 21 letter?

They've had a copy of everything, bank statements, sons go/ hospital letters, bills, you name it. They have it

Have you spoke to shelter for advice?

Appeal on the grounds that you weren’t able to pay your rent. Failing to pay rent is intentional homelessness IF you had the means to do so. Unfortunately at the time you didn’t.

Get a copy of your rent statement from your landlord or use bank statement to prove that as soon as you were able to you did pay the rent and appeal their decision of intentional homelessness.

Shelter is a good place to call for support.

They have a duty to house you and your child. They have to provide an option. This could mean private temp accomadation. Guessing trying to get out of having to provide perm housing for you. But you will still be entitled to housing benefit.

I thought councils were doing what they could to support people in this situation as it was due to universal credit failings. If you’d had this money your rent would’ve been paid so not sure how they can say it’s your fault. So cruel

I’m currently homeless too, landlord gave valid notice to quit and myself and 4 kids in temp accommodation. I’ve been to my mp and all sorts. Email your local mps, speak to shelter, cab anyone who will listen to you.
What a horrible position to be in, you must be worried sick. Speak to your gp too, like I said anyone who will or could help.

Hope you get something sorted very soon will be thinking of you x

I'm not sure I follow, but if you left at the section 21 and didn't wait for the bailiffs to evict you then you have made yourself intentionally homeless.
What I can't work out is why the council gave you temporary accommodation rather than telling you to stay in your property, unless you left the accommodation of your own accord before asking the council for help?
Phone the council and ask for an appt with their homelessness officer and they will advise you of what you need to do next.