Temporary accommodation refusal.

[Toomanybrokentarts]

I've been living in temporary accommodation for two years now with my two dcs, as the house I lived in before was privately let and the landlord wanted the property back.
Today I have been offered another temporary flat on the 19th floor of a tower block, as again the property I am in is private but let to the council to rent out for temporary accommodation as the flats are being demolished.
Now the council have a duty to house me so have no choice but to find me suitable accommodation, however is this place suitable & am I able to refuse it?

I know there are people who are worse off than me and I shouldn't really complain as I have a roof over my head
But I just can't live that high up, what's pissing me off the most is that my housing officer found a more suitable property two weeks ago, she secured it for me went on holiday and left instructions for a colleague to call me in to sign the tenancy, which she didn't do so I ended up losing out on that flat.
So does anyone know if I refuse it would they still have a duty of care towards me?

I don't see how anything with that many floors can be fit for any purpose. You aren't supposed to use lifts in a fire and you can't possibly run down them in a fire (even witout children). Of course YANBU and I hope you are helped out.

Beggars can't be choosers springs to mind- the sense of entitlement in this country shocks me. If you are relying on the government for support, unless there is a genuine disability issue you should take what you're given op. I work with homeless people, many of whom are far down on the list for temporary accomodation and would give arm and limb to be offered any kind of shelter, which makes me unable to have any kind of sympathy for you. The 19th floor isn't ideal no, and I'm sure many residents don't feel happy living there- but you should view it as a temporary situation whilst you get yourself back up on your feet financially until you can rent privately again.

Op I hope you come right. I wouldn't want to live there with 2 small children either. X

Beggars can't be choosers springs to mind- the sense of entitlement in this country shocks me

All those lucky fuckers in Grenfell hey? How entitled to want to live somewhere you could get down the stairs with your children in a fire.

Beggars? Takes a lot to render me speechless, you've managed it.

Just because some have it worse doesn't mean we shouldn't want or expect more.
The crux of our housing issue is the lack of suitable social housing. Look at the 1930's big build, maisonettes suitable for old and families with gardens. Decent houses with good size rooms, really thought out as to what people need.

Now they are built with the bare minimum thought or expense.

People can want and expect what they like, if they are paying for it.

Are we back to people who live in social housing dont pay for it again Eliza?

This link www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/5918/2171391.pdf of government guidance on how local authorities should allocate housing suggests (p. 31) that having young children anywhere other than the ground floor can be considered "unsatisfactory housing". So all you "suck it up" people, the government disagrees with you.