Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Will my local Mp help with my council housing problem?

90 replies

ririd94 · 28/10/2017 18:52

Hi guys,
I need a bit of advice. I'm a young single woman living with my mum at the moment and i'm on the housing register with my local council (in london) but i'm in band D at the moment. I have significant mental health problems and I have sent letters to the council from my gp and other medical professionals to no avail of being made a medical priority.
I have since been in contact with my local mp and they have written a letter to head of housing with my local council and I wondered if it would make a difference to my case? Has anyone got any experience with their local mp helping with housing issues?
I should also mention:
A. I'm not going to get my mum to kick me out and make me homeless as that will not make my mental health any better
B. I can't afford private renting, i'm on benefits
C. I have exhausted all other options shelter, CAB, councillors etc.
D. I dont have any children
Thanks in advance!

OP posts:
MyDcAreMarvel · 28/10/2017 18:53

Possibly , however as a single person in London the waiting list is still likely to be many years long.

ButchyRestingFace · 28/10/2017 18:57

A. I'm not going to get my mum to kick me out and make me homeless as that will not make my mental health any better

I've heard of people - back in the day, mind - having parents write letters to Him/Her in Charge saying they were going to kick offspring out, without actually doing it.

However, in view of your mental health issues, is there some sort of urgency to leave the parental home? Do you not have a good relationship with your mum?

Birdsgottafly · 28/10/2017 18:57

Have you looked into whether there are any Charities that provide housing for people with your condition?

wowbutter · 28/10/2017 18:59

If you are in suitable accommodation, why is it the councils job to house you?
Am I missing something?
You are on the waiting list, with thousands of others, and need to wait your turn. You can't be bumped up the queue because I can't see any reason you would need to be.
Actual homeless people and people living in massively unsuitable places do not get housed, why do you get precedence?

RunningOutOfCharge · 28/10/2017 19:00

what are you hoping the council will give you?
you aren't homeless and with respect, half the country have mental health problems of some sort

newmobile · 28/10/2017 19:01

An MP can't change the councils policy and procedure what they can do is get the case looked at to see if you are in the correct band and for someone to contact you to discuss your mental health issues to see if you can get any additional medical points so is worth contacting them but won't mean you get anything you wouldn't otherwise be entitled to. Do you meet the criteria for supported accommodation through MIND or other such charities?

Bombardier25966 · 28/10/2017 19:02

Are you overcrowded at present? Is living at home detrimental to your mental health?

A letter from your MP will make the council ensure they've followed their guidelines, but cannot override the same rules that are applied to every applicant.

Bombardier25966 · 28/10/2017 19:05

I'd also consider what you'd do if the council offered you somewhere in a rough area, or a bedsit/ studio in a block with antisocial behaviour. That would surely be worse for your mental health than living at home (unless there is an issue at home).

ArcheryAnnie · 28/10/2017 19:10

I'm sorry not to post with better news, but my experience with friends on various waiting lists is that even if they are ill, have children, are horribly overcrowded, etc, in London it can take years and years. One friend shared a bed in a single room with her daughter until her daughter was 10 years old. (They've now got a two-bedroom flat, but still.) There's just such a shortage of council and housing association places that the wait is very long, and a single person who is not currently homeless will not be a priority at all.

Ttbb · 28/10/2017 19:11

Why do you need to move out?

Adviceplease360 · 28/10/2017 19:14

Why do you want to move out? If you are on benefits, why should you be allocated a home over someone who can pay their rent themselves?

Original poster
ririd94 · 28/10/2017 19:17

I didnt want to post too much information about myself but staying at home is a risk to my safety and mental well being. I should note that I do have a fractured relationship with my mother and I have younger siblings with means its not great for them to be in the mix.
I'm more than happy to wait my turn if I had a chance, thats the problem. I don't even have a chance to get a place on the band I am on so thats why i'm trying to move up.
As I have said, I done pretty much everything conceivable to get some assistance so really I just need to know if anyone else had any luck moving up the lsit too

OP posts:
BeachyKeen · 28/10/2017 19:22

It sounds as though you may need tonlook at moving out of the area, to speed things along.

ArcheryAnnie · 28/10/2017 19:25

If you are on benefits, why should you be allocated a home over someone who can pay their rent themselves?

This is a ridiculous comment. Everyone should be entitled to safe housing, whether they are on benefits or are well enough to hold down a job. Housing is allocated on the basis of need, not on the basis of Let's Punish The Sick.

(In the OP's case I don't think she will get a flat, because London, but that's not the point.)

Meplus2equals3 · 28/10/2017 19:27

Do you want to move out of area?

I'm going to be really honest with you. 10 years ago I was homeless with 2 children under 3. I shared a maisonette converted in a homeless hostel with another parent who had two children. I was lucky but I can't get social housing now

RunningOutOfCharge · 28/10/2017 19:28

of course she won't get a flat

she's a single person....flatshare/shared house/lodging is what she will be offered (in about ten years time)

op.....why don't you move yourself into a house share?

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 28/10/2017 19:30

What is the threat to your safety?

Starlight2345 · 28/10/2017 19:32

I don’t think you will get far . I would look at other ways to get yourself in a position to move out the house .

RunningOutOfCharge · 28/10/2017 19:33

how is there a threat to your safety op?

RacingRaccoons · 28/10/2017 19:34

Very unlikely you’ll get a flat as they are there for those in need.

ButchyRestingFace · 28/10/2017 19:39

Very unlikely you’ll get a flat as they are there for those in need.

The OP has said remaining at home is a threat to her safety. She hasn't elaborated so at this stage, it's anyone's guess, but supposing that this is the case, surely that would qualify as "in need".

TotallyWingingIt · 28/10/2017 19:46

It’s a tough one because the list for social housing is in order of priority, as they see it you have a roof over your head (even if it isn’t the best it’s still more than others have). I’m not saying it’s right but unfortunately that’s how the system is. As another poster has said it maybe worth looking outside of the area for a private rental? You could get help with bond if you speak to CAB they can point you in the right direction. You could also look at a house share, people often rent out rooms and housing benefit should cover most of not all of the cost and you would be out of somewhere you deem unsafe. I hope you get sorted OP

Original poster
ririd94 · 28/10/2017 19:59

The 'risk' is that my abuser is in close proximity to where I live. I sent a police report to the council but to no avail either.
I appreciate the advice. I am under no illusion that getting social housing is easy and I appreciate that there are people with greater need but I have to do something even if it means in 10 years I would finally get a place. At least then I know I have a chance

OP posts:
gamerchick · 28/10/2017 20:04

I think moving out of London might be a better option tbh.

ButchyRestingFace · 28/10/2017 20:12

I have to do something even if it means in 10 years I would finally get a place. At least then I know I have a chance

Do you see yourself being able to sustain study or employment in ten years time, OP?

I tend to agree with Gamerchick. Assuming that you will be able to hold down some form of work in 10 years, then you'd be more able to afford private housing (flatshare etc) outside of London.