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Original poster

How bad is temporary accommodation

33 replies

tiredeyesyeah · 13/11/2020 19:50

I need to leave my ex and I'll be taking my reception child with me.

My local council have temp accommodation available for me in another borough and I've told them that I'll get back to them as I'm not sure what kind of place we will end up in.

Are facilities shared? Is it just a bnb hostel room? Are they grotty?

I'm not quite sure what all the practicalities will be. Would DD need to go to a new school? New GP? How will I move all of our stuff (clothes, books etc, no furniture)?

OP posts:
Original poster
tiredeyesyeah · 13/11/2020 20:11

Anyone been in this situation before?

Any advice?

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Learningtobehappier · 13/11/2020 20:12

They will likely offer temporary accommodation until you can get a refuge space (if needed) temporary accommodation varies, mine was ok. Fridge, kettle and microwave, bathroom and beds.

x2boys · 13/11/2020 20:26

I guess it depends what they have ,I have recently had essential work done on my housing association house and the housing association moved us into a temporary house for two weeks they furnished it for us and it was a comfortable three bedroom house ,with beds washing machine settee,s oven fridge etc and the housing officer as d they would continue to use it as temporary accommodation ,but other boroughs might be only be able to offer a B&B?

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x2boys · 13/11/2020 20:28

available*

Original poster
tiredeyesyeah · 13/11/2020 20:30

Ok. They would move me to croydon and the housing officers spoke to said that I've got about a 5 year wait for a council property.

Would rather not go in to a refuge. I said there was no abuse, although ex is a bully.

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Original poster
tiredeyesyeah · 13/11/2020 20:30

I would hope it's a nice comfortable place.

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sociallydistained · 13/11/2020 20:32

My friend was in it when she left her ex. It was a nice little bed sit style place but with shared bathroom which sounds horrendous but it wasn't that bad it was separate entrance but next door to hers which I think she shared with that level. Had kitchen and bedroom.

PiperPiper20 · 13/11/2020 20:33

A family member has been in emergency/temporary accommodation a few times and it's been either a Bnb or a bedsit. Basically shared accommodation in a building with other families with stared kitchen and bathroom.

SandysMam · 13/11/2020 20:41

What would the alternative be OP? Can you get any money together to privately rent? Maybe a caravan or something?
If not, I think if things are really bad with your ex then you have no option really. My friend went into temporary accommodation, it was ok, hers had a small en-suite and was a bit like a travel lodge room. It was clean and she was safe, they tend to put children in the most suitable ones they can find, so no sex offender types etc although can’t be guaranteed. I think you have to pay to store your stuff in a unit if it can’t be packed and taken with you but might be a good time to clear out. Do you have to stay in that area? Could it be a good time for a complete fresh start somewhere cheaper? A seaside town for example?

x2boys · 13/11/2020 20:42

Having said that I live in the Northwest so there may well be more available where I live ,the housing officer did say we would have normally have been moved into a hotel ( not sure what type of hotel ) but because of COVID they needed to move us into temporary accommodation,I hope you get lucky ,but it probably will be down to what's available

Findahouse21 · 13/11/2020 20:44

In our area, planned temporary accommodation tends to be just a 'normal' flat or house. Emergency accommodation tends to be less desirable and may be shared facilities

MissMarks · 13/11/2020 20:45

It can vary enormously- you need to ask them what style it will be. Could be a self contained flat or could be a B and B. Could be a flat within a hostel.

Original poster
tiredeyesyeah · 13/11/2020 20:46

I'd rather not move so far out. I cant drive and I'm not white so I wouldn't want to stick out in a rural part of the country.

I wouldn't have family and friends close by for support and company.

The housing officer said that they can arrange private rented accommodation, but not close to where I am now.

I'm thinking about DD and her school. She's made so many good friends and she's professing so well. The school is really top tier for teaching.

I have no money to my name anyway, I'm a student at the moment. I've stayed so long with my ex because I couldn't afford to leave.

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SandysMam · 13/11/2020 20:48

Wish you all the best OP Flowers

ThatPlanWorked · 13/11/2020 20:52

A friend of mine was housed in temp accommodation in Croydon, they use B&Bs frequently as far as I know. They were housed after 18 months.
Croydon is a very diverse borough, I wouldn’t consider it to be rural so I wouldn’t worry about that aspect

Original poster
tiredeyesyeah · 13/11/2020 20:56

Oh I know croydon is very diverse- used to work there.

That was in reply to @SandysMam who ask2d if I wanted a fresh start by a seaside town.

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Original poster
tiredeyesyeah · 13/11/2020 20:58

I would probably go in to a b&b anyway. Ex's behaviour towards me is getting very concerning.

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ThatPlanWorked · 13/11/2020 21:01

Oh gosh so sorry @tiredeyesyeah Blush

They use the B&Bs along the London Road, CR7. I wonder if they could clarify the type of accommodation, as another friend is in a self contained flat that is considered temporary too but that’s based on health needs. Wishing you lots of luck

scotsllb · 13/11/2020 21:07

Op if your a student can your college or uni offer any deposit or hardship fund to get you a private let somewhere

scotsllb · 13/11/2020 21:08

You are * not your

Original poster
tiredeyesyeah · 13/11/2020 21:10

I did approach my uni months ago, but they just referred me to their local council. The university is not in London. It's a home county.

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Original poster
tiredeyesyeah · 13/11/2020 21:11

I'll call the housing officer on Monday to see what type of temp accommodation they offer.

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Crappyfridays7 · 13/11/2020 21:23

Initially they have 2 weeks for you to go into b&b type setup then legally obliged to find you warm dry watertight accommodation but yes it can be anywhere flat, house, bedsit.

It’s so so hard op, the limbo and uncertainty.
My children and I have been in temp accommodation for 3 years. We did a week in b&b then a in between house and now in a 3 bed terrace which is fine (I have 4 kids so it’s quite small but it’s a roof) it means you can settle for a while but I know it’ll be really difficult. Mine provided white goods, hoover, iron beds furniture, kettle etc. Basic stuff. I’ve added my own bits along the way.
I really hope things work out for you, sounds really awful and I hope someone is looking out for you and you’re lo

Saladfingersscaresme · 13/11/2020 21:34

I feel for you op, I’m originally from Croydon. Is there any chance you could private rent, my council have a list of landlords who use the fair rent scheme so no overinflated rent, many don’t want a deposit only references. If they do want a deposit the council helps with that too. It might be worth asking?

user1294729492759 · 13/11/2020 21:40

Safety ranks a tier above schools tbh.

You can't be forced into a refuge for disclosing abuse, although a disclosure would mean you were treated with the correct degree of urgency.

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