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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:
LIZS · 28/10/2017 20:12

It might be worth seeing your mp if only to be signposted to other sources of support, possibly outside your area especially if your personal safety is at risk, and highlight the problem. There are charities which can assist with housing and other support for those suffering mh issues, some specifically for young people such as ymca. Do you work or have other ties to your current area?

bottlesandcans · 28/10/2017 20:15

You live with your mum.
You don't want her to make you homeless.
You have suitable housing.
You're not in priority need.

Any questions?

itsbetterthanabox · 28/10/2017 20:15

Do you work? You might be entitled to some benefits on top that would help you afford to rent in a flat share.

RacingRaccoons · 28/10/2017 20:22

I would look into supported accommodation for those with mental health issues. Agencies like social services and MIND would be able to help you find a place like that and would support an application.
Or if you look at moving out of London, you’ll probably have more luck.

RacingRaccoons · 28/10/2017 20:24

ButchyRestingFace I had started typing and had become distracted so when I posted, I had missed the part where OP mentioned a safety risk. Sorry!

sluj · 28/10/2017 20:25

I work in social housing and I can assure you that having your MP or local councillor will not "help your case" one bit if you have been correctly assessed. All you will do is waste the time of probably 4 to 5 people who will have to register the enquiry, gather the information, write the response and send it out. All of whom have much more urgent things to be doing with their time.

You will just have to wait or make alternative arrangements like everyone else. Sorry- but thats how it is

sluj · 28/10/2017 20:26

If you just need sign posting to help why not just ask thr council direct? Or Google since you have access to the internet?

Viviennemary · 28/10/2017 20:29

I don't think a single person who already has a home would be a priority in an area that has a chronic housing shortage. And you may get difficult neighbours or barking dogs or other things. I think you'd be better off staying where you are for the time being. If a person is threatening you then the police should be informed.

Misspollyhadadollie · 28/10/2017 20:30

I'm sure you've posted this exact thing before.
You are a single woman with no children (as you haven't mentioned any??) you won't get priority.

Misspollyhadadollie · 28/10/2017 20:31

Even if your mum kicked you out you would still be in the lowest band as you are not in "priority need"

PeppaPigTastesLikeBacon · 28/10/2017 20:34

To be honest, I don’t think your mental health will affect getting a house quicker. There are people who need a house more than you. I think the only way to go up the list is to either move out of London or get your mum to kick you out so you’re made ‘homeless’

TidyDancer · 28/10/2017 20:37

I’m really not sure what you thought writing to your mp would do to help tbh. They can’t and wouldn’t try to get you special treatment. I sympathise because broadly speaking there is not enough affordable housing out there by any means but as others have pointed out you are unlikely to be placed in any priority group.

It does sound like your best hope would be to move out of the area which is not great for a lot of reasons but might be ideal for you if you’re desperate to be housed and to get away from an abuser.

Original poster
ririd94 · 28/10/2017 20:37

I appreciate everyone's responses.
I'll just have to wait and see what the director of housing says in response to my mp's letter. Hopefully it works but it seems highly unlikely that it won't and I don't want to be wasting anyone's time.

OP posts:
Misspollyhadadollie · 28/10/2017 20:37

She still wouldn't be priority if she was made homeless and that's what she needs to understand. This has definitely been posted before. In my borough in london it says you are priority if "You are homeless and in 'priority need'" she's not in a 'priority need' I bet her borough is the same.

TidyDancer · 28/10/2017 20:41

Unless there has been some procedural mistake nothing will come of the mp’s letter. I have worked for a district council before and we had letters like this and people genuinely thought it would get them a jump up the queue. It never did and never should.

expatinscotland · 28/10/2017 20:46

'I'm sure you've posted this exact thing before.
You are a single woman with no children (as you haven't mentioned any??) you won't get priority.'

This. Even the homeless with children are placed in B&Bs (where they still have to pay rent) , often for months, and often offered accommodation outside London. Your chances of getting council flat in London as a single person are slim to none. You need to stop focusing on this being a possibility and start to get realistic about how you can improve things for yourself.

thismeansnothing · 28/10/2017 20:47

DH works in housing. They forever get letters from MPs, GPs and other HCP. They make little to no difference.

Original poster
ririd94 · 28/10/2017 20:47

I'm glad I asked here so now that I know. If making myself homeless wont make me priority then there's no point. I'll look at maybe going out of London or once i'm no longer in a programme with my local mental health hospital I can look into getting work and renting privately and if the thing with the abuser continues i'll just have to get the police involved again.

OP posts:
sluj · 28/10/2017 20:47

If you've asked your MP to write on your behalf you will already be wasting someone's time. God, I hope your enquiry is not on MY desk on Monday with 10 others, I need to spend the morning working out a plan to get my elderly ladies rescued if there is a fire in their block. 😩

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 28/10/2017 20:47

Why would MP's waste their time interceding for people who think they're a special case? It must be obvious when there are no extenuating circumstances, and the council have categorised them correctly?

ivykaty44 · 28/10/2017 20:49

Op are you bidding for property on the list every week?
Are there weeks when you haven’t made a bid for properties that have been available?

Iamagreyhoundhearmeroar · 28/10/2017 20:50

Why wouldn't you get the police involved now instead of imagining getting a council house will make (whatever it is) stop? Confused

RunningOutOfCharge · 28/10/2017 20:51

Get an injunction on this abuser maybe??

What are you hoping the council will provide for you? Don’t you think you should be stepping up a bit here and helping yourself?

Misspollyhadadollie · 28/10/2017 20:54

Bidding every week in london won't make a difference. Regardless in a low band it will take years. (My friend waited 7 another waited 10, bidding regularly)

clearsight · 28/10/2017 20:59

I had a friend with significant mental health problems who was made homeless in London.He was given a room in a hostel by the council where he stayed for two years, possibly still there as his mental health deteriorated to the point where he refused to see anyone. It was crowded, dirty, noisy and not really fit for purpose. It didn't do his mental health any good at all. You need to be prepared for a situation like this. I also have a friend who works in housing in London and she tells me there are literally no flats for single people. I'm sorry to tell you this but you might be better off approaching some housing associations direct or look for other ways to be referred to them.