AIBU to be upset at the council?

[TurtlesAreAwesome]

Sorry, this is likely to sound like a rant, but here goes...

I've been registered as homeless for a year and I've been living in the temporary accommodation that was offered for nearly 6 months. They promised to do the repairs soon after I've moved in. They've not done anything. I've got a 2 month old baby in a severely damp, cold house, where I can't take a shower (due to broken doors, mouldy and broken shower unit). I was meant to be having disability rails installed but they decided they can't be arsed doing that either. The occupational therapist said in September that the house is unsuitable.

The midwives and health visitor weren't happy that I was stuck in a house in such a state of disrepair on top of a massive hill when I've got a disability. So my housing officer offered me somewhere else (another temp) back in November. I've never actually been allowed to move into there, despite her promising it will be definitely before Christmas.

Basically the damp is getting worse and half of my door fell in yesterday. I called up the council before and they said there's another temporary place that they can't get rid of over 10 miles away, but I wouldn't be moved back to the area in which I'm living in and is on quite a rough estate where I'd stick out like a sore thumb and be very isolated.

Am I being unreasonable to be upset that other people are being offered things that would have been suitable for my daughter and I and they're just trying to get rid of somewhere on me and not letting me move into the place where I was offered?

what do you mean only entitled to the 2 bed rate, you only need a 2 bedroom house

where about in wales are you? I can check what you should be getting?

Pebble, I'm in N Wales if that helps. I've complained officially to him and he seems to be worse than the rest of them put together. But I may be in a different area. I'm going to do it all again tomorrow and start making more complaints, as I just want something reasonable.

Someone said that I could possibly get more... I've double checked, I was wrong, it's £91 a week.

North wales, so Wrexham area?

I don't want to put my area here, but no, the other side of north Wales. Luckily, not Wrexham.

whats the exact amount you get in housing rate?

So this is the world we're living in now is it, where it's acceptable to lay into a disabled homeless woman with a 2 month old baby?

Shame on you, you nasty judgmental fuckers. Just....shame .

You have received so much good advice on here OP. And the odd bit of bad advice, too- if you give up now and spend money you can't afford on a private rental, that's it. The council will wash their hands of you and you'll be living in insecure, overpriced accommodation for ever- or until you're made homeless again. But I'm sure you know that already.

All I can add is that it seems you're doing pretty much everything you can. Are you calling the council constantly and being a right thorn in their side?

This too shall pass. Things WILL get better, and you'll get your forever home in the end .

How do you manage with your daughter alone with your disability? Are you able to take her out in a pram etc?

You say the door of the shower has fallen in, how does this stop you from taking a shower? Maybe the council don't see it as urgent?
I'm not trying to goad I just want more information to try and understand better!
Also op I just want to add that it's not a right to choose which area we live in. My eldest stepchild would love nothing more than to live near me and his dad but he just can't afford it, even though he works and has quite a well paid job. Your initial post does sound a bit 'I want' so I can understand some posters asking questions. I doubt it's that the council 'can't be arsed' fixing things but that they simply literally can't do everything that is requested due to extremely limited resources. I would try to make the best of what you have for now for your daughters sake.

Thank you, stubborn. It does seem like the world we live in now.

The shower is on a high raised unit with no rails. The shower itself is broken. The doors are on these rails with broken hinges and 'flap' about. There's no bath, so I have no alternative to use other facilities. I give my baby a bath in the bedroom where it's warmer. If they couldn't make the repairs, why promise it? Why say they'll be around and make me wait in all day when they won't show up.

Baby's pram is quite stable, which is actually quite a godsend. It's a nightmare getting it up and down the hill though, I've fell over and been really lucky to grab the pram quite a few times.

My rent gets paid, due to the type of accommodation. But ordinary private rent, I'd get £91.43.

I would agree with mrsblobby2017....You haven't really given any detail to what your disability is or why you became homeless in the first place, so think people are just wondering if they can have this detail in order to give a valid answer. No-one wants to put down or lay into a disabled homeless mother, but there might be more to it. Yes you should be provided with accommodation that is suitable etc, in your hour of need, but Councils do have limited resources these days and waiting lists are high. You say you are looking for work, so I am presuming your disability allows you to do so. I do hope it is all sorted for you soon.

I was made homeless due to DV and I have problems with my spine, which means I'm in a lot of pain and my mobility is quite limited. I can't run a marathon or anything.

i agree with the pram being a godsend actually. when i had a back op and needed crutches then a stick, i did feel more secure, if thats the right word, with the pram. i just had to make sure i went up and down slopes where possible.
my mum also said the same, infact she was quite disappointed when my last dc out grew it 3 years ago!

Realistically, working would be a struggle and employers don't seem to want to give me anything. But I don't want to be unemployed forever, I want something better for my baby girl. I don't want to be seen as a scrounger.

Nobody should be making you feel guilty for not looking for a job with a 2 month old baby. If you were working, you'd be on maternity leave for the next 5 months or so anyway.

Yeah, I think it would probably be unfair leaving a 2 month old baby in a nursery all day.

Unfortunately this is this culture we now live in. I've had a baby and need somewhere to live,what are you going to do about it? You're one of a million people in this position. Councils are struggling hugely to house people. I think you should be grateful for a roof over your head and start thinking about how you're going to support yourself.

Although, to answer your original AIBU:

Am I being unreasonable to be upset that other people are being offered things that would have been suitable for my daughter and I and they're just trying to get rid of somewhere on me and not letting me move into the place where I was offered?

Well, a little bit. I'm sure it's not personal, it's just that the council housing dept. is under huge pressure, and probably quite chaotic.Also, you probably don't know the "other people"s' circumstances. Don't take it personally, but do keep on keeping on at them!

lookatthesky

let's hope you never find yourself disabled and homeless as a result of domestic violence then, shall we? Lest you encounter someone as unpleasant as yourself when you're forced to ask for help .

Sometimes I just feel like giving a really sarcastic reply. At least I'm trying to sort it out and I really wish I wasn't in this situation, but shit happens.

Have you approached adult social care to see if you are entitled to any support from them?

Op, you said further up thread that they only seem to give permanent accommodation to locals and then said you need to stay near family. Are you a local?
I am not surprised they are housing locals first. That seems reasonable to me and I think there would be an uproar if they did anything differently.
Can't family help? Can't you move in with them or at least go and stay with them sometimes.?
And £20 a month from the father would buy something for the DD. he should not get off scott free.

Many people are in your position op. It doesn't make it right but I feel it is wrong to give you false hope.
And other posters who blame people for buying their property under right to buy are unfair. I would buy if I were in that position.

Hi OP,
If I may, can I suggest being a massive pest. Call the housing office or whomever you think will get you results twice a day. Then email and turn up in person. It's those who make a pain out of themselves who get action. My mum was a housing officer and she had a woman turn up in her office and leave five kids with her until she sorted out her housing issues. I don't know what the outcome was but I can imagine!

Or maybe you could PM the phone number and details to any of us asking for it and we could call up on your behalf eight times a day?

I will call them in the morning and ask whether they'll write me a free letter.

The GP will probably be able to write a letter regarding documented health issues. It's very unlikely to be free though as it's outside of NHS remit. We would normally charge approx £10 for this to cover time, Secretary wages, receptionist time (tell the receptionist on the phone what you need and they may organise it without you having to see the GP ), etc.
Be prepared for a charge and factor it into your planning.