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Original poster

Homelessness/temp housing and pregnancy... What was your experience like?

22 replies

user2466 · 11/09/2023 18:43

Hi All,

Was just looking into some insight as to what other people's experiences were like in regards to being pregnant and homeless/being offered temp housing?

Currently in a difficult situation due to DV and will need to go down the temp housing route via the council - nervous. Baby is due in December and the thought of living in a B&B with a little one worries me.

Any stories/experience?

Thanks :)

OP posts:
Original poster
user2466 · 11/09/2023 20:45

Bump

OP posts:
YoSof · 11/09/2023 20:47

I assume you’ve reported the DV? If you’re fleeing domestic violence you will be given a priority for housing - straight into band one in my local authority, so temp accommodation shouldn’t be for too long.

The short term pain will be so worth it when you are given the keys to your own home, a safe home for you and your child. You are doing the right thing and should be proud of being so brave x

mycoffeecup · 11/09/2023 20:49

Good luck. Sadly 'short term' referred to above might be years if you're in London - are you able to find out what usual waiting times are where you live and consider whether moving to another area would be an option? but yes it will all eventually be worth it and you're definitely doing the right thing. Any family/your parents you could move back in with?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about these subjects:

Benefits Families
Ted10 · 11/09/2023 21:02

user2466 · 11/09/2023 18:43

Hi All,

Was just looking into some insight as to what other people's experiences were like in regards to being pregnant and homeless/being offered temp housing?

Currently in a difficult situation due to DV and will need to go down the temp housing route via the council - nervous. Baby is due in December and the thought of living in a B&B with a little one worries me.

Any stories/experience?

Thanks :)

Regarding banding. Looking at your councils banding policy. When my dd fleed we had to fight for a year to get her in the right banding. So do be careful as you often have to fight for it.

During the first 56 days (roughly) the council decided if they owe a duty. In your case they should do as its DV . At the moment it sounds like your in emgency accommodation. Once the 56 days have passed they may move you onto a more suitable temporary accommodation. If the accommodation is not suitable you can ask for a suitability review.

As for having a baby soon that won't make a big difference as baby is so little and can really stay anywhere. You could try and push for somthing self contained. By telling them about making bottles sterilising etc

Can I ask did you flee a private rented house or was it council/housing association. Was it in your name

lawforit · 11/09/2023 21:26

I left a DV relationship and had social workers involved, who helped support my application for council housing. Having professional input really helped my case. I didn't have to go into temp housing, I was living in unsuitable private rental and I got rehoused to a 2 bed house (secure tenancy not temp) when baby was 6m old. This was quite a few years ago now, and some processes have changed. I was pretty lucky as I was living in the Midlands and swapped to a flat in central London after a few years.

Original poster
user2466 · 12/09/2023 14:24

The DV isn't from my partner it's more so from his family. I've had health conditions during my pregnancy and yesterday when I was speaking to the cardiologist about some of my worries he said 'you do know that's domestic abuse don't you?' I think that's when the penny dropped. I've always known in the back of my mind but I've never wanted to ruffle any feathers. But I've not been able to work due to my health throughout the pregnancy, my partner has been working.

I have an existing council housing application and upon speaking to the cardiologist he mentioned that he could provide me with a letter to fast track the process with housing as he believes my home situation isn't ideal with my health conditions. He said he'd give me the letter but I'm too scared to take the next steps. I can't live with my parents and have no where else to go.

OP posts:
Ted10 · 12/09/2023 21:18

user2466 · 12/09/2023 14:24

The DV isn't from my partner it's more so from his family. I've had health conditions during my pregnancy and yesterday when I was speaking to the cardiologist about some of my worries he said 'you do know that's domestic abuse don't you?' I think that's when the penny dropped. I've always known in the back of my mind but I've never wanted to ruffle any feathers. But I've not been able to work due to my health throughout the pregnancy, my partner has been working.

I have an existing council housing application and upon speaking to the cardiologist he mentioned that he could provide me with a letter to fast track the process with housing as he believes my home situation isn't ideal with my health conditions. He said he'd give me the letter but I'm too scared to take the next steps. I can't live with my parents and have no where else to go.

So are you stating at your boyfriends family home and they are being abusive to you ?

Original poster
user2466 · 12/09/2023 21:30

@Ted10 Yes, it's more emotional abuse/control

OP posts:
Babyroobs · 12/09/2023 21:33

user2466 · 12/09/2023 21:30

@Ted10 Yes, it's more emotional abuse/control

So will your boyfriend be moving out with you also ??

Original poster
user2466 · 12/09/2023 21:57

@Babyroobs yes that's correct. He'll be moving too

OP posts:
Ted10 · 12/09/2023 22:32

user2466 · 12/09/2023 21:30

@Ted10 Yes, it's more emotional abuse/control

I know there is never an excuse. But is thete a reason for it? Such as they don't want you there?

I would talk to womans aid and also shelter to get advice.

BBno4 · 12/09/2023 22:33

Still here 5 years later...in temporary

Babyroobs · 12/09/2023 22:49

user2466 · 12/09/2023 21:57

@Babyroobs yes that's correct. He'll be moving too

Ok I would not think you would qualify to be fast tracked under DV priority then. have you considered private renting?

Devilsmommy · 13/09/2023 02:22

I dont want to alarm you but please try your hardest to not be put into homeless/temp accomodation with a baby. we ended up in that situation and it was really fucking grim. It was a hotel and the place was filthy and crawling with cockroaches. The council do not care that you have a baby in these conditions and even the midwives and hv were of no use whatsoever. we were there for 4 months and only got out through me looking to private rent out of the council area we were under. If you can avoid it at all, i would. look at private renting if its an option for you

mycoffeecup · 13/09/2023 06:13

user2466 · 12/09/2023 14:24

The DV isn't from my partner it's more so from his family. I've had health conditions during my pregnancy and yesterday when I was speaking to the cardiologist about some of my worries he said 'you do know that's domestic abuse don't you?' I think that's when the penny dropped. I've always known in the back of my mind but I've never wanted to ruffle any feathers. But I've not been able to work due to my health throughout the pregnancy, my partner has been working.

I have an existing council housing application and upon speaking to the cardiologist he mentioned that he could provide me with a letter to fast track the process with housing as he believes my home situation isn't ideal with my health conditions. He said he'd give me the letter but I'm too scared to take the next steps. I can't live with my parents and have no where else to go.

Ok, so you're not a single parent fleeing abuse, you're a couple with a child, moving because you don't get on with his parents. That's very different. I'm a GP in a deprived area and I know, because the council write to us, how awful the housing situation is, and that letters from doctors generally get binned unless they were specifically requested. Hospital consultants don't seem to understand this and often do letters, or ask us to do them. Unless your area is much more flush for housing than mine, I wouldn't put much credence on the consultant letter. If this is your first baby, could you private rent a studio/one bed flat? little one will be in with you for much of the first year.

Ted10 · 13/09/2023 07:20

Domestic abuse is typically manifested as a pattern of abusive behavior toward an intimate partner in a dating or family relationship, where the abuser exerts power and control over the victim.
Domestic abuse can be mental, physical, economic or sexual in nature. Incidents ar

user2466 · 13/09/2023 14:13

This reply has been withdrawn

This message has been withdrawn at the poster's request

mycoffeecup · 13/09/2023 14:14

Yes but you're not a single parent suffering from domestic abuse.

You're a couple with a baby, who want to move out from family because you don't get on with them. That's not going to make you any sort of priority above all the other couples with babies - in fact, unless the family write a letter saying they are evicting you, you'll be lower priority as you have somewhere to live.

I'm sorry I'm not trying to be difficult, just realistic.

HaileyFailet · 13/09/2023 14:20

Sorry OP but what you've described would not result in you being given any priority for secure housing where I live.

Maybe it'll be different if you live somewhere where there's tonnes of available social housing.

JonjoMonjo21 · 13/09/2023 14:23

Also wouldn’t be a priority here. Can you not private rent with having a partner and working?

gogomoto · 13/09/2023 14:25

In the circumstances you describe why don't you just take a private rental, check turn2us or similar to see if you qualify/will qualify for top up benefits. Unless there's other mitigating circumstances the council won't fast track for domestic violence as they will say just move out

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