Housing question

[Bluebirthdaycard]

Hi, I've been on the housing register since last July. I have a 17 and 13 year old and no longer want to be with their dad. This is the reason I have given for requiring a property. I've been put on band c and have now just bid on my 31st property. I'm for the most part always ranked at over 20. Basically I'm losing hope and won't even be considered for a shared ownership, has anyone else been in my position to give me a bit of hope?

If you’re currently housed, albeit with a partner you no longer want to be with, your priority for social housing is going to be fairly low. There will be people in temporary accommodation, poor housing conditions, needing to move due to disability etc who will have much greater priority. Do you currently own or rent your home? If you own, are there plans to sell so you’ll have some equity?

I don't own the house, he does, which is why I've gone onto the social housing register.

Just depends what the housing situation is like in your area. I'd have thought you'll be waiting a very long time unfortunately being band C.

No. Why is that relevant?

Truthfully, you will probably be waiting years (in my area at least). Have you added flats as an option in addition to houses to maximise your chances?

Or did you mean to quote OP?

Could you afford to rent in the private sector. That might be a better option.

No and I know I'm an absolute idiot before anyone piles on me. I can't change my past, just trying to change the future but I'm hitting a brick wall.

Your best option then is for your ex to kick you out of his house and for you to request temporary accommodation from the council. You’ll then be classed as homeless and have higher priority. It could still take years, depending on your area and what demand for social housing is like, and temporary accommodation is often not very nice. Is private renting an option?

I joined at 18 and didn't get anywhere till I was 33. And that wasn't council, it was housing association so more expensive than council.

To rent a 3 bedroom house on a single wage will be a stretch, can be doable though.

Was there a reason to join at 18? If you had disabilities there must have been other options

You don't need a reason to join. Anybody can apply for social housing, you get assessed by need. I'd encourage anyone who can't afford to buy to join the list personally, unless they specifically want to private rent.

@Bluebirthdaycard

well, you'll need to stretch then.

unless there's DV, not wanting to live with him, really shouldn't put you above people in NEED of housing. Some people are on the streets, in unsuitable multi occupancy housing with small children etc

obviously if there's DV council/women's aid should be able to help you.

But if you can stretch to private you should.

At 18, you should have higher aspirations in life than subsidised housing. Frankly, if its on your radar at that age, there is a problem. And how depressing to think - all I want in life is Government subsidises.

How about looking to support yourself.

Not depressing at all. Social housing should be the norm for those who can't afford to buy (and it USED to be 80 odd years ago) not private renting to line the pockets of landlords. Much more social housing should be built.

Obviously many people will be able to buy their own homes, most people would if they could.

This wins the prize for the most ignorant post I've ever seen on MN.

Just because someone lives in social housing doesn't mean that they don't support themselves. By your reasoning, someone who is living in a private rent, barely able to juggle your household bills, on the poverty line & only able to afford the absolute minimum is following the right path in life but someone in social housing, working 40 hours a week and paying their bills but probably still skint thanks to the Tories is lacking ambition and relying on other people to fund their lifestyle.

Get off your golden pedestal and join the real world.

To rent a 3 bedroom house on a single wage will be a stretch, can be doable though.

Have a look at whether you’d be entitled to benefits to help with rent, it’ll buy you some time to sort yourself out and maybe relieve some financial pressure.

To add I'm fully intending to pay the rent and not expecting any help. As I put in my original post, I've looked into shared ownership but been refused. I don't know the reason - my age, salary or what which is very frustrating.

You joined the list last summer. People are on there for years and years before they get somewhere. Your child is almost 18 too so it’s highly unlikely you’ll get a 3 bed.

You need to be realistic about expectations.

Then you should read more Mumsnet. Pathetic

It was not about social housing as an option.

The poster joined at 18. I stand by the fact that to think you will never be able to buy your own home at 18 is defeatist. It has nothing to do with social housing - there should be more of it but it should not be the norm.

The poster made no reference to any special circumstances,