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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Social housing!!

20 replies

Makkapakkasmum · 02/08/2017 18:38

Firstly, I apologise if this comes across as ranty but I'm at a loss as to what to do!

I currently work part time with two DC under the age of 2 and am a single parent in private rented accommodation.

I am currently on my local housing register but in the lowest band - I bid every week but am 600+ in the que for whichever properties I bid for.

My LL is selling her house so we shortly have to move out - which is fine - but my AIBU is the council have told me we will be put in the second from highest band whilst we go in to temporary accommodation, potentially on the other side of the city, and it could take up to two years for us to be housed - I suffered with bad PND and this is increasing with the anxiety and worry about this as I will
Now have to travel more and potentially increase childcare costs for this when my childcare is more than I earn (yes I would be happy to increase my hours to
Full time but works out we would be worse off) and as such I'm not in a position to rent privately!

The lady at the council actually said I would be in a better position to get a council property if I wasn't working because apparently people who aren't working take priority which is fine but I was a bit aghast by this!

Apologies again for my rant!!

OP posts:
Original poster
Makkapakkasmum · 04/08/2017 11:31

Shameless bump 🙈

OP posts:
SerfTerf · 04/08/2017 11:35

The lady at the council actually said I would be in a better position to get a council property if I wasn't working because apparently people who aren't working take priority which is fine but I was a bit aghast by this!

I thought workers and volunteers got priority now?

10greenapples · 04/08/2017 11:35

Never heard of people not working taking priority, it certainly isn't the case in my area.

MommaGee · 04/08/2017 11:36

Can you def not afford to go private? Does the kids Dad help at all?

What do they mean by temporary?
Also worth noting they if the council haunt offered you anything when your tenancy ends do not move out. I know its shot for the landlord but so is homelessness with two babies. Continue to pay the rent, update the council and keep in touch with the landlord but do not go

Migraleve · 04/08/2017 11:44

Our LA houses according to housing needs. whether people work or not has nothing to do with it

SerfTerf · 04/08/2017 11:45

TBH, I think in your shoes I'd go the "temp accommodation" route for the benefit of secure tenure at the end of it.

BarbaraofSeville · 04/08/2017 11:57

Different councils may have different rules. In high cost, high demand areas, it would make sense to prioritise people who work in the area in low/medium paid and essential jobs like NHS workers, and even retail/hospitality staff. I'm sure London would notice fairly quickly if there were no nurses, cleaners or restaurant and bar staff available.

Other areas may consider that if you are working, even on fairly low wages you can afford private rental or even buy, so you don't need social housing. So would then prioritise the unemployed, especially if there is a shortgage of private rental that accepts housing benefit.

x2boys · 04/08/2017 12:01

No we are a working house hold well dh works Im my son's carer ( but we were both employed when we went on 0

x2boys · 04/08/2017 12:03

Not finished we went on the list also my council give priority to some homes to working people.

SaucyJack · 04/08/2017 12:08

Do you have any idea what the temporary accommodation will be? It may not be anything to panic over.

I had a private flat for two years when I was classed as homeless, which was rented to the council, who then rented in on to me as temporary accommodation. It was in much better condition than the flat I got saddled with in the end for a permanent tenancy.

10greenapples · 04/08/2017 18:14

Think yourself lucky they are even housing you!! If your on benefits it's impossible to get private rent! So swings and roundabouts

abigcupoffuckyou · 04/08/2017 18:15

you haven't actually asked an aibu at all.

NeverSurrender · 04/08/2017 18:22

In my area it's prioritised to workers and volunteers, those in (or just left)the armed forces, and those with ties to the area (family or work).

SerfTerf · 04/08/2017 20:12

Think yourself lucky they are even housing you!! If your on benefits it's impossible to get private rent! So swings and roundabouts

Do we have to start the "thank your lucky stars you're not me" thing?

It suits this bloody government to have all of us 99% fighting and envying each other. It's how George O made austerity a vote winner.

Lostbeyondwords · 04/08/2017 20:21

Is it "aibu to say I might not be housed for 2 years while in temporary accommodation?"
If so, yabu. Being put in temp accommodation IS being housed, you won't be homeless, and you'll be able to find somewhere else in the meantime.

It is shit that sometimes these places are far from you current home but if that's where the temp stock is then it can't be helped. Hopefully they will accommodate your needs as best they can, but they told you worst case scenario, it may not be that bad when it actually happens.

Ebonyk · 23/03/2019 22:53

Hi anyone else in temp housing homeless I'm a single mum it's just me and my baby he's just turn 1 yrs old. how long were you in temp housing or how long have you been in it any one in temp housing in Surrey area ? Do single people without kids get houses on the council lift first or people with kids ? If they are in temp housing like me and my baby let me no If any one in same situation as me. I'm bidding on council places no luck yet tho .

Hahaha88 · 23/03/2019 23:02

Sorry if I'm being thick but it you're already renting privately then surely you could get another private rental ok? As in pass checks etc and afford private rent costs

Ebonyk · 23/03/2019 23:33

Hi Hannah was that to me ? As I'm not renting private I'm in temp homeless housing

WhereIsMyTVRemote · 23/03/2019 23:38

Ebonyk you would be best to start your own thread rather than ask for help on this one. I think the other poster was talking to the op of this thread.

Ebonyk · 24/03/2019 09:38

Ok thanks how do I start a new one x

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