Council housing

[coco03]

I hi, I am 32 weeks pregnant and as I get closer to the end I realise I'm actually petrified to bring my baby home! I live in a 3rd floor flat I struggle with the stairs because I have bad legs and I'm scared off being stuck in all the time because it's a pretty rough area and I know I'll struggle carrying a pram and a baby up the stairs so I'm petrified off having to leave my pram at the bottom. the council won't help me because I'm classed as adequately housed. My dad also lives In the same block who I don't have the best relationship with he's been very nasty to me and is a very heavy drinker and drug user I don't want that around my baby! I can't afford to private rent or buy but I feel like the council just don't want to help...

What's your baby's father doing to help? Perhaps you should have thought about this before getting pregnant? Rather than blame the council perhaps take some responsibility for your own choices and decisions?

When baby arrives you'll be entitled to a 2 bedroom.

Don't hold your breath. It depends on where you are. In London many in your position are in B&Bs, 1 beds, temporary accommodation. Social housing is in very, very short supply.

you ever stop to think that getting pregnant wasn’t in our plans

Op you posted back in April...

* I had my implant out on Thursday last week just wondering how long it takes to get back to normal I really want to start trying for a baby but I've been bleeding since I had it removed and I've been feeling dreadful just any guidance would be appreciated*

So clearly getting pregnant was In your plans

Who has told you that pregnant women don’t get moved into the block because of the fears for their safety?

you ever stop to think that getting pregnant wasn’t in our plans

Op you posted back in April...

I had my implant out on Thursday last week just wondering how long it takes to get back to normal I really want to start trying for a baby but I've been bleeding since I had it removed and I've been feeling dreadful just any guidance would be appreciated

So clearly getting pregnant was In your plans

Oh dear.......

@coco03 have you had your vitamin D levels checked? Vit D deficiency can lead to aches and pains and loss of strength.

You ever stop to think that maybe getting pregnant wasn't in our plans at the time it just happened

That’s funny because you started a thread in April saying you had your implant removed & really wanted to start trying for a baby

You didn’t think to sort out your housing or mobility problems before that then?

(Before anyone jumps on me, yes I know quoting past threads is very bad etiquette but I really don’t give shit, things like this really piss me off)

Cross post with change & spidey

If you’re struggling with the stairs, you should be able to get medical priority for a move to a ground floor flat or similar. (I have mobility issues, and I got points for that, as well as some adaptations when I did get a property.) I wouldn’t worry about the number of bedrooms though. It’s normal for the baby to be in with you for at least the first 6-12 months, then after that you can always use screens or get a sofa bed for the living room.
As pp’s suggested, I’d give a sling a try to avoid a heavy pram on the stairs, and then from 6+ months you can always get a lightweight umbrella stroller.

You should be grateful that you have your own 1 bed flat and a roof over your head for your baby and are not in a shelter or B&b. Council housing is so limited and they do the best they can. We work bloody hard to have a good lifestyle and chose to have children when we were in a position to provide them an environment and life that we deemed appropriate. If you don’t have a diagnosed medical condition with your legs, then the council are under no obligation to bump you up the list.

Ive had on going problems with them and thought it was normal because I'm a bigger person
If you thought that it is weight related or made worse being overweight? If so you've got a way to improve it.

When baby arrives you'll be entitled to a 2 bedroom.
Nope, and everyone needs to mine away from this sense of entitlement. These magical family homes everyone wants from social landlords simply does not exist, the shortage is not helped by people intentionally getting pregnant and expecting everyone else to sort out their problems.

OP you've had lots of good advice (most of which you have chosen to ignore) here but continue to blame everyone else and throw out new excuses with ever increasing exclamation points.

Do you have a car? We used to keep the pushchair/pram in the car and carry the baby into the house in the car seat or sling. Much easier than lugging a pushchair up and down.

Is private rent a lot more than what you’re paying? Perhaps you need to look into it, as if you’re low income, you’ll be entitled to the housing element of universal credit.

I understand your stress but try to focus on what you have and what you can do to improve things now rather than the negatives.

Being stuck in - look at getting a properly fitted sling so you can carry baby up and down stairs hands free or get a compact pram that folds easily and a bike lock to chain it onto a bannister or something downstairs so you can leave it and either pick it up once baby is safe in cot or ask you partner to carry it up/down before/after work.

Avoid your Dad - contact the police if he verbally abuses you or intrudes in your space. Having police documentation of any altercations with him can also be submitted on your housing claim of its deemed true and could impact on your family.

As for space - try not to buy into the "essentials" lists that people advise for newborns. Start out with key bits and buy in future as needed so you don't waste space/money on stuff that you find you don't use.

We bought some vinyl wall stickers and decorated a corner of our room with them, it looked fine with the cot set up. Mine shared with me until 14 months and 2.5 years respectively so it can be done.

Maybe have another look at those 1 bed flats now you've had a chance to calm down. It sounds like your area/particular block is part of the problem so getting out of there might make you feel much better :)

She won’t be back

Wow, I'm loving the new developments.

Makes me feel sad for this unborn baby

I had my implant out on Thursday last week just wondering how long it takes to get back to normal I really want to start trying for a baby but I've been bleeding since I had it removed and I've been feeling dreadful just any guidance would be appreciated

PMSL 😂

Bit late to think about how you would manage now I'm afraid. Did you think The council would just hand you s nice 2 bed semi. Have you looked into private renting?

FFS pregnancy doesn't just 'happen'.
Unless your names Mary...

Anyway, I presume you are working as you are on sick leave. Try save as much as you can as it will only be harder on Mat pay.

If you can scrape together a deposit for a new place, private rented, that seems like the most likely option of housing to your requirements.
I'm sure I've heard of a council scheme where they will actually pay a private deposit for council tenants they are unable to house.

Babies are cheap, clothes, formula if not breastfeeding and nappies are
Really all they need. Doable on one wage up until they need paid for childcare that is.

Ialwaysneednamechanging. Something tells me there will be no childcare costs. I suspect this will be a benefits baby.

@lollybee1 I didn't want to say anything but I did suspect it could be a case off the mother and father are together but choose to not declare it for the council housing and benefits

Ow OP has been caught out I don’t think she’s coming back ...

What have the council actually told you OP?
What department have you spoken to? Allocations? Or Housing Options?

The reason I ask is that some council decisions can be challenged. if you can say what they have actually told you then I can offer some advice as to what your options are both legally and other ways you can possibly get help to move.

Would need to know your local authority so I can look through their allocations policy for you.

Bear in mind, that most councils will count a living room as a "bedroom" so even if you are successful in being moved, you may still only be entitled to a one bed property as children under one are not counted for bedrooms so you could even only be entitled to a one bed when your child is older. Some authorities have more generous allocations policies though.

If you are being harassed by your dad and are in danger then you may be considered legally homeless and so you could make a homeless application if you have not already done so. If accepted the council will have a duty to house you in emergency accommodation whilst they decide if you are owed the main duty.It's pretty bumpy very unsettled route though.

If you are owed the main duty, then you would be given temporary accommodation and you will be given 1 offer of permanent accommodation that could be anywhere in your borough. If you refuse, they will end their duties. How long you are in temp accommodation would depend on the pressure on housing stock in your borough.

For instance in London it is not unusual for people to be in suitable (?)temp accommodation for years before they offered something permanent However, in my area people are housed permanently within a few months.

You can apply for priority on the waiting list if your medical conditions mean your current property is unsuitable but you will be expected to bid borough-wide otherwise you will lose your priority.

To have more choice in the sort of home you wish to live and in an area where you want to- you would normally look for private rented but of course you will not have such a secure tenure as you would a as secure council tenant.

Tough situation for you but possibly tougher options to think about.